fix(maestro): allow concurrent ACP handshakes

Plan rows are omitted from the transcript in both clients and rendered
in a separate plan rail/status line, not as a transcript checklist.

crates/maestro-acp/tests/fake_acp_agent.py

@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ Environment knobs, all optional:
   FAKE_ACP_INIT_FAIL=1    answer `initialize` with a JSON-RPC error
   FAKE_ACP_DELAY_SESSION_NEW_MS=n  wait n milliseconds before answering
                              `session/new`
+  FAKE_ACP_SESSION_NEW_GATE=path  wait for `path` to exist before answering
+                             `session/new`
   FAKE_ACP_EXIT_AFTER_NEW=1  exit 0 right after answering `session/new`
   FAKE_ACP_EXIT_ON_CANCEL=1  exit 0 on `session/cancel` (default: keep running
                              so the SIGTERM path is exercised)
@@ -133,6 +135,9 @@ for raw in sys.stdin:
             "authMethods": [],
         }})
     elif method == "session/new":
+        gate = os.environ.get("FAKE_ACP_SESSION_NEW_GATE")
+        while gate and not os.path.exists(gate):
+            time.sleep(0.01)
         time.sleep(int(os.environ.get("FAKE_ACP_DELAY_SESSION_NEW_MS", "0")) / 1000)
         send({"jsonrpc": "2.0", "id": rid, "result": {"sessionId": session_id}})
         send(chunk("hello from fake"))

crates/maestro-cli/src/attach.rs

@@ -19,6 +19,12 @@ use tokio_tungstenite::tungstenite::Message;
 pub enum AttachError {
     #[error("ws: {0}")]
     WebSocket(#[from] tokio_tungstenite::tungstenite::Error),
+    #[error("daemon returned {status} ({code}): {message}")]
+    Rejected {
+        status: String,
+        code: String,
+        message: String,
+    },
     #[error("io: {0}")]
     Io(#[from] io::Error),
     #[error("termios: {0}")]
@@ -32,6 +38,21 @@ pub enum AttachError {
 }
 
 impl AttachError {
+    fn from_websocket(error: tokio_tungstenite::tungstenite::Error) -> Self {
+        if let tokio_tungstenite::tungstenite::Error::Http(response) = &error {
+            if let Some(body) = response.body().as_deref() {
+                if let Ok(error_body) = serde_json::from_slice::<maestro_protocol::ApiError>(body) {
+                    return Self::Rejected {
+                        status: response.status().to_string(),
+                        code: error_body.error.code,
+                        message: error_body.error.message,
+                    };
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        Self::WebSocket(error)
+    }
+
     /// True when the failure was an inability to reach the WS endpoint at the
     /// transport level (connection refused), as opposed to an HTTP-level
     /// rejection from a daemon that did answer.
@@ -111,7 +132,9 @@ fn current_winsize() -> Option<(u16, u16)> {
 /// byte that exits cleanly without killing the session.
 #[allow(clippy::result_large_err)]
 pub async fn run_attach_url(url: &str, detach_byte: u8) -> Result<(), AttachError> {
-    let (ws, _resp) = tokio_tungstenite::connect_async(url).await?;
+    let (ws, _resp) = tokio_tungstenite::connect_async(url)
+        .await
+        .map_err(AttachError::from_websocket)?;
     let (mut sink, mut stream) = ws.split();
 
     let raw = RawTty::enable()?;
@@ -233,4 +256,25 @@ mod tests {
             Err(AttachError::InvalidDetachKey(_))
         ));
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn attach_surfaces_structured_handshake_errors() {
+        let body = serde_json::to_vec(&maestro_protocol::ApiError::new(
+            "not_terminal",
+            "session is not a terminal session",
+        ))
+        .unwrap();
+        let response = tokio_tungstenite::tungstenite::http::Response::builder()
+            .status(409)
+            .body(Some(body))
+            .unwrap();
+
+        let error =
+            AttachError::from_websocket(tokio_tungstenite::tungstenite::Error::Http(response));
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            error.to_string(),
+            "daemon returned 409 Conflict (not_terminal): session is not a terminal session"
+        );
+    }
 }

crates/maestro-cli/src/sessions.rs

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use std::io::Write;
 use maestro_protocol::display::abbreviate_dir;
 use maestro_protocol::{
     ActivityState, ClientError, CreateSessionRequest, DaemonClient, DaemonInfo, SendInputRequest,
-    Session, SessionStatus, WorktreeSpec,
+    Session, SessionStatus, SessionView, WorktreeSpec,
 };
 use serde_json::Value;
 
@@ -179,8 +179,8 @@ fn print_session_table(out: &mut impl Write, sessions: &[Session], info: &Daemon
     }
     writeln!(
         out,
-        "  {:<36}  {:<8}  {:<9}  {:<28}  {:<40}  {}",
-        "ID", "STATUS", "ACTIVITY", "DIR", "COMMAND", "BLOCKED"
+        "  {:<36}  {:<8}  {:<10}  {:<9}  {:<28}  {:<40}  {}",
+        "ID", "STATUS", "VIEW", "ACTIVITY", "DIR", "COMMAND", "BLOCKED"
     )
     .ok();
     for s in sorted {
@@ -190,6 +190,10 @@ fn print_session_table(out: &mut impl Write, sessions: &[Session], info: &Daemon
             SessionStatus::Running => "running",
             SessionStatus::Dead => "dead",
         };
+        let view = match s.view {
+            SessionView::Terminal => "terminal",
+            SessionView::Structured => "structured",
+        };
         let activity = match s.activity {
             ActivityState::Active => "active",
             ActivityState::Idle => "idle",
@@ -207,8 +211,8 @@ fn print_session_table(out: &mut impl Write, sessions: &[Session], info: &Daemon
         let blocked = blocked_label(s);
         writeln!(
             out,
-            "  {:<36}  {:<8}  {:<9}  {:<28}  {:<40}  {blocked}",
-            s.id, status, activity, dir, command
+            "  {:<36}  {:<8}  {:<10}  {:<9}  {:<28}  {:<40}  {blocked}",
+            s.id, status, view, activity, dir, command
         )
         .ok();
     }
@@ -230,7 +234,7 @@ mod tests {
     use std::path::PathBuf;
 
     use chrono::{TimeZone, Utc};
-    use maestro_protocol::{ActivityState, Session, SessionStatus};
+    use maestro_protocol::{ActivityState, Session, SessionStatus, SessionView};
     use uuid::Uuid;
 
     use super::DaemonInfo;
@@ -286,6 +290,22 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(s.contains("idle"), "{s}");
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn table_exposes_terminal_and_structured_views() {
+        let terminal = session("/tmp", "bash", 1);
+        let mut structured = session("/tmp", "claude", 2);
+        structured.view = SessionView::Structured;
+
+        let mut buf = Vec::new();
+        super::print_session_table(&mut buf, &[terminal, structured], &info(""));
+        let out = String::from_utf8(buf).unwrap();
+        let lines: Vec<&str> = out.lines().collect();
+        let header = lines.iter().position(|line| line.contains("VIEW")).unwrap();
+
+        assert!(lines[header + 1].contains("terminal"), "{out}");
+        assert!(lines[header + 2].contains("structured"), "{out}");
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn live_cwd_overrides_spawn_dir_in_table() {
         let mut s = session("/home/naps/maestro", "bash", 1);

crates/maestro-daemon/src/local_api.rs

@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ use maestro_protocol::{
 use serde::Deserialize;
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
-use crate::session::{QueueAcpPrompt, SessionManager};
+use crate::session::{QueueAcpPrompt, SessionError, SessionManager};
 use crate::sidecar::EventCursor;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
@@ -179,6 +179,7 @@ fn session_error_status(code: &str) -> StatusCode {
         // The session outlived its pane: nothing to type into, and nothing
         // the daemon can do about it.
         "not_running" => StatusCode::CONFLICT,
+        "not_terminal" => StatusCode::CONFLICT,
         "shutting_down" => StatusCode::SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE,
         _ => StatusCode::BAD_GATEWAY,
     }
@@ -534,12 +535,23 @@ async fn attach_ws(
     State(s): State<LocalApiState>,
     ws: axum::extract::WebSocketUpgrade,
 ) -> Result<Response, Response> {
-    let Some((replay, rx)) = s.manager.subscribe_pty_with_replay(id).await else {
-        return Err(error_response(
-            StatusCode::NOT_FOUND,
-            "unknown_session",
-            "no such session on this daemon",
-        ));
+    let (replay, rx) = match s.manager.subscribe_pty_with_replay(id).await {
+        Ok(subscription) => subscription,
+        Err(SessionError::NotFound(_)) => {
+            return Err(error_response(
+                StatusCode::NOT_FOUND,
+                "unknown_session",
+                "no such session on this daemon",
+            ));
+        }
+        Err(error) => {
+            let info = error.to_error_info();
+            return Err(error_response(
+                session_error_status(&info.code),
+                &info.code,
+                &info.message,
+            ));
+        }
     };
     let manager = s.manager.clone();
     Ok(ws.on_upgrade(move |socket| async move {

crates/maestro-daemon/src/session.rs

@@ -6,9 +6,12 @@
 //! handler interact with tmux.
 
 use std::collections::{HashMap, HashSet};
+use std::future::Future;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
-use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicU64, Ordering};
+use std::pin::Pin;
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicU64, AtomicUsize, Ordering};
 use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::task::{Context, Poll};
 use std::time::Duration;
 
 use chrono::Utc;
@@ -18,7 +21,7 @@ use maestro_protocol::{
     SessionStatus, SessionView, StructuredReplayEvent, TranscriptDelta, WorktreeSpec, NAME_KEY,
     NAME_SOURCE_KEY,
 };
-use tokio::sync::{broadcast, oneshot, watch, Mutex};
+use tokio::sync::{broadcast, oneshot, watch, Mutex, Notify};
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
 use crate::panes::Panes;
@@ -169,6 +172,8 @@ pub enum SessionError {
     /// a stray keystroke on an attach socket, which is dropped.
     #[error("session is no longer running: {0}")]
     NotRunning(Uuid),
+    #[error("session is not a terminal session")]
+    NotTerminal(Uuid),
     #[error("daemon is shutting down")]
     ShuttingDown,
     /// The kill was refused (#79): the session's worktree holds unsaved work.
@@ -205,6 +210,7 @@ impl SessionError {
             SessionError::NotFound(_) => "not_found",
             SessionError::InvalidEnv(_) => "invalid_env",
             SessionError::NotRunning(_) => "not_running",
+            SessionError::NotTerminal(_) => "not_terminal",
             SessionError::ShuttingDown => "shutting_down",
             SessionError::KillGuarded(_) => "kill_guarded",
         };
@@ -260,9 +266,99 @@ struct Inner {
     /// Once daemon shutdown starts, it owns structured-session finalization.
     /// Background passes must not classify those deliberate exits as natural.
     shutting_down: AtomicBool,
-    /// Serializes structured creation with shutdown so every adapter child is
-    /// either rejected or included in shutdown's final drain.
-    structured_lifecycle: Mutex<()>,
+    /// Admission is serialized with shutdown, while admitted handshakes run
+    /// independently and are counted until registration or rollback finishes.
+    structured_lifecycle: StructuredLifecycle,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Default)]
+struct StructuredLifecycle {
+    gate: std::sync::Mutex<()>,
+    in_flight: AtomicUsize,
+    settled: Notify,
+}
+
+impl StructuredLifecycle {
+    fn admit<'a>(
+        &'a self,
+        shutting_down: &AtomicBool,
+    ) -> Result<StructuredCreate<'a>, SessionError> {
+        let _gate = self.gate.lock().expect("structured lifecycle gate");
+        if shutting_down.load(Ordering::Acquire) {
+            return Err(SessionError::ShuttingDown);
+        }
+        self.in_flight.fetch_add(1, Ordering::AcqRel);
+        Ok(StructuredCreate { lifecycle: self })
+    }
+
+    async fn wait_until_settled(&self) {
+        loop {
+            let settled = self.settled.notified();
+            if self.in_flight.load(Ordering::Acquire) == 0 {
+                return;
+            }
+            settled.await;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+struct StructuredCreate<'a> {
+    lifecycle: &'a StructuredLifecycle,
+}
+
+impl Drop for StructuredCreate<'_> {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        if self.lifecycle.in_flight.fetch_sub(1, Ordering::AcqRel) == 1 {
+            self.lifecycle.settled.notify_one();
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+struct AdmittedStructuredCreate<'a> {
+    create: Pin<Box<dyn Future<Output = Result<Session, SessionError>> + Send + 'a>>,
+    /// Field order matters: dropping a cancelled create rolls back its inner
+    /// future before this permit releases shutdown's in-flight barrier.
+    _permit: StructuredCreate<'a>,
+}
+
+impl Future for AdmittedStructuredCreate<'_> {
+    type Output = Result<Session, SessionError>;
+
+    fn poll(mut self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<Self::Output> {
+        self.create.as_mut().poll(cx)
+    }
+}
+
+struct PendingCreate<'a> {
+    inner: &'a Inner,
+    id: Uuid,
+    fifo_path: PathBuf,
+    worktree_path: Option<PathBuf>,
+    worktree_base_repo: Option<PathBuf>,
+    committed: bool,
+}
+
+impl PendingCreate<'_> {
+    fn commit(&mut self) {
+        self.committed = true;
+    }
+}
+
+impl Drop for PendingCreate<'_> {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        if self.committed {
+            return;
+        }
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&self.fifo_path);
+        if let Err(error) = self.inner.sidecar.delete(self.id) {
+            tracing::warn!(%error, id = %self.id, "rollback: failed to delete create artifacts");
+        }
+        if let (Some(base), Some(path)) = (&self.worktree_base_repo, &self.worktree_path) {
+            if let Err(error) = self.inner.worktree_mgr.remove(base, path) {
+                tracing::warn!(%error, ?path, "rollback: failed to remove worktree after partial create");
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 impl SessionManager {
@@ -306,7 +402,7 @@ impl SessionManager {
                 viewports: Mutex::new(Viewports::new()),
                 next_viewport: AtomicU64::new(0),
                 shutting_down: AtomicBool::new(false),
-                structured_lifecycle: Mutex::new(()),
+                structured_lifecycle: StructuredLifecycle::default(),
             }),
         }
     }
@@ -824,10 +920,18 @@ impl SessionManager {
     /// is on disk after the restart is truthful. tmux sessions are left
     /// alone — surviving a restart is what they are for.
     pub async fn shutdown(&self) {
-        if self.inner.shutting_down.swap(true, Ordering::AcqRel) {
-            return;
+        {
+            let _gate = self
+                .inner
+                .structured_lifecycle
+                .gate
+                .lock()
+                .expect("structured lifecycle gate");
+            if self.inner.shutting_down.swap(true, Ordering::AcqRel) {
+                return;
+            }
         }
-        let _lifecycle = self.inner.structured_lifecycle.lock().await;
+        self.inner.structured_lifecycle.wait_until_settled().await;
         let children: Vec<(Uuid, Arc<AcpSession>, Option<watch::Receiver<bool>>)> = {
             let sessions = self.inner.sessions.lock().await;
             sessions
@@ -879,11 +983,17 @@ impl SessionManager {
         }
     }
 
-    /// Subscribe to a session's PTY broadcast. `None` if the session is
-    /// unknown to this daemon.
-    pub async fn subscribe_pty(&self, id: Uuid) -> Option<broadcast::Receiver<Vec<u8>>> {
+    /// Subscribe to a terminal session's PTY broadcast.
+    pub async fn subscribe_pty(
+        &self,
+        id: Uuid,
+    ) -> Result<broadcast::Receiver<Vec<u8>>, SessionError> {
         let sessions = self.inner.sessions.lock().await;
-        sessions.get(&id).map(|r| r.bridge.subscribe())
+        let record = sessions.get(&id).ok_or(SessionError::NotFound(id))?;
+        if record.session.view != SessionView::Terminal {
+            return Err(SessionError::NotTerminal(id));
+        }
+        Ok(record.bridge.subscribe())
     }
 
     /// Subscribe to a session's PTY broadcast and return the replay buffer
@@ -897,11 +1007,14 @@ impl SessionManager {
     pub async fn subscribe_pty_with_replay(
         &self,
         id: Uuid,
-    ) -> Option<(Vec<u8>, broadcast::Receiver<Vec<u8>>)> {
+    ) -> Result<(Vec<u8>, broadcast::Receiver<Vec<u8>>), SessionError> {
         let tmux = self.inner.tmux.clone();
         let (result, updated) = {
             let mut sessions = self.inner.sessions.lock().await;
-            let rec = sessions.get_mut(&id)?;
+            let rec = sessions.get_mut(&id).ok_or(SessionError::NotFound(id))?;
+            if rec.session.view != SessionView::Terminal {
+                return Err(SessionError::NotTerminal(id));
+            }
             rec.session.last_focused_at = Some(Utc::now());
             let updated = rec.session.clone();
             // For a live session, tmux's own screen beats the byte tail: the
@@ -932,7 +1045,7 @@ impl SessionManager {
             .inner
             .events
             .send(CatalogEvent::SessionUpdated { session: updated });
-        Some(result)
+        Ok(result)
     }
 
     pub async fn has(&self, id: Uuid) -> bool {
@@ -945,6 +1058,15 @@ impl SessionManager {
         sessions.get(&id).map(|r| r.session.status)
     }
 
+    async fn terminal_status(&self, id: Uuid) -> Result<SessionStatus, SessionError> {
+        let sessions = self.inner.sessions.lock().await;
+        let record = sessions.get(&id).ok_or(SessionError::NotFound(id))?;
+        if record.session.view != SessionView::Terminal {
+            return Err(SessionError::NotTerminal(id));
+        }
+        Ok(record.session.status)
+    }
+
     /// Whether the natural-exit settle step (#82) has finished for this
     /// session: `Some(true)` once applied or refused, `Some(false)` while
     /// still pending, `None` if the session is unknown. `Dead` is observable
@@ -959,11 +1081,15 @@ impl SessionManager {
     /// Spawn a new session. On success returns the freshly-created `Session`.
     pub async fn create(&self, req: CreateSessionRequest) -> Result<Session, SessionError> {
         if req.view == SessionView::Structured {
-            let _lifecycle = self.inner.structured_lifecycle.lock().await;
-            if self.inner.shutting_down.load(Ordering::Acquire) {
-                return Err(SessionError::ShuttingDown);
+            let permit = self
+                .inner
+                .structured_lifecycle
+                .admit(&self.inner.shutting_down)?;
+            return AdmittedStructuredCreate {
+                create: Box::pin(self.create_inner(req)),
+                _permit: permit,
             }
-            return self.create_inner(req).await;
+            .await;
         }
         self.create_inner(req).await
     }
@@ -1001,22 +1127,17 @@ impl SessionManager {
         // Each side effect below unwinds the ones before it on failure, so a
         // partial create never leaks a worktree or — worse — a ghost tmux
         // session with no in-memory record (NAP-260).
-        let bridge =
-            match PtyBridge::start_with_replay(fifo_path.clone(), self.inner.replay_bytes).await {
-                Ok(b) => b,
-                Err(e) => {
-                    self.rollback_worktree(&worktree_base_repo, &worktree_path);
-                    return Err(e.into());
-                }
-            };
-        let mut session_env = match sanitize_env(&req.env) {
-            Ok(env) => env,
-            Err(e) => {
-                let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&fifo_path);
-                self.rollback_worktree(&worktree_base_repo, &worktree_path);
-                return Err(e);
-            }
+        let mut pending = PendingCreate {
+            inner: &self.inner,
+            id,
+            fifo_path: fifo_path.clone(),
+            worktree_path: worktree_path.clone(),
+            worktree_base_repo: worktree_base_repo.clone(),
+            committed: false,
         };
+        let bridge =
+            PtyBridge::start_with_replay(fifo_path.clone(), self.inner.replay_bytes).await?;
+        let mut session_env = sanitize_env(&req.env)?;
         // Identity + reporting target for the in-session hook (#106). Ours
         // win over whatever the request carried, so a client cannot spoof
         // another session's identity (#103).
@@ -1063,10 +1184,6 @@ impl SessionManager {
                         .await
                 };
                 if let Err(e) = spawned {
-                    // `bridge` drops at the end of this block, closing the
-                    // FIFO reader.
-                    let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&fifo_path);
-                    self.rollback_worktree(&worktree_base_repo, &worktree_path);
                     return Err(SessionError::Tmux(e));
                 }
                 (None, None)
@@ -1084,8 +1201,6 @@ impl SessionManager {
                     Err(error) => {
                         acp.terminate(maestro_acp::CANCEL_GRACE, maestro_acp::TERM_GRACE)
                             .await;
-                        let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&fifo_path);
-                        self.rollback_worktree(&worktree_base_repo, &worktree_path);
                         return Err(SessionError::Sidecar(error));
                     }
                 };
@@ -1110,8 +1225,6 @@ impl SessionManager {
                 Err(e) => {
                     acp.terminate(maestro_acp::CANCEL_GRACE, maestro_acp::TERM_GRACE)
                         .await;
-                    let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&fifo_path);
-                    self.rollback_worktree(&worktree_base_repo, &worktree_path);
                     return Err(SessionError::Sidecar(e));
                 }
             }
@@ -1180,9 +1293,6 @@ impl SessionManager {
                     let _ = tmux_blocking(move || tmux.kill_session(id)).await;
                 }
             }
-            let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&fifo_path);
-            let _ = self.inner.sidecar.delete(id);
-            self.rollback_worktree(&worktree_base_repo, &worktree_path);
             return Err(SessionError::Sidecar(e));
         }
 
@@ -1192,6 +1302,11 @@ impl SessionManager {
             .map(|(acp, events)| (acp.clone(), events.clone()));
         {
             let mut sessions = self.inner.sessions.lock().await;
+            let event_pump = event_pump.map(|(acp, events)| {
+                let done = start_acp_event_pump(&self.inner, id, &acp, events.clone());
+                start_acp_permission_pump(&self.inner, id, &acp, events);
+                done
+            });
             sessions.insert(
                 id,
                 SessionRecord {
@@ -1208,17 +1323,10 @@ impl SessionManager {
                     awaiting_suppressed: false,
                     acp,
                     acp_events,
-                    acp_event_pump: None,
+                    acp_event_pump: event_pump,
                 },
             );
         }
-        if let Some((acp, events)) = event_pump {
-            let done = start_acp_event_pump(&self.inner, id, &acp, events.clone());
-            start_acp_permission_pump(&self.inner, id, &acp, events);
-            if let Some(record) = self.inner.sessions.lock().await.get_mut(&id) {
-                record.acp_event_pump = Some(done);
-            }
-        }
         let _ = self.inner.events.send(CatalogEvent::SessionAdded {
             session: session.clone(),
         });
@@ -1243,19 +1351,10 @@ impl SessionManager {
             }
         }
 
+        pending.commit();
         Ok(session)
     }
 
-    /// Best-effort removal of a worktree created earlier in `create` when a
-    /// later step fails. No-op when the request had no worktree.
-    fn rollback_worktree(&self, base: &Option<PathBuf>, path: &Option<PathBuf>) {
-        if let (Some(base), Some(path)) = (base, path) {
-            if let Err(e) = self.inner.worktree_mgr.remove(base, path) {
-                tracing::warn!(error = %e, ?path, "rollback: failed to remove worktree after partial create");
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
     /// Kill a session and remove its on-disk artifacts.
     ///
     /// Refused (#79) when the session's worktree holds unsaved work —
@@ -1626,10 +1725,9 @@ impl SessionManager {
     /// its pane is gone, so this is a no-op rather than a tmux failure the
     /// client would have to interpret.
     pub async fn send_keys(&self, id: Uuid, bytes: &[u8]) -> Result<(), SessionError> {
-        match self.status(id).await {
-            None => return Err(SessionError::NotFound(id)),
-            Some(SessionStatus::Dead) => return Ok(()),
-            Some(SessionStatus::Running) => {}
+        match self.terminal_status(id).await? {
+            SessionStatus::Dead => return Ok(()),
+            SessionStatus::Running => {}
         }
         let tmux = self.inner.tmux.clone();
         let bytes = bytes.to_vec();
@@ -1645,10 +1743,9 @@ impl SessionManager {
     /// asked for text to land somewhere, and a silent success would let a
     /// script believe an agent had been told something it never heard.
     pub async fn send_input(&self, id: Uuid, text: &str, submit: bool) -> Result<(), SessionError> {
-        match self.status(id).await {
-            None => return Err(SessionError::NotFound(id)),
-            Some(SessionStatus::Dead) => return Err(SessionError::NotRunning(id)),
-            Some(SessionStatus::Running) => {}
+        match self.terminal_status(id).await? {
+            SessionStatus::Dead => return Err(SessionError::NotRunning(id)),
+            SessionStatus::Running => {}
         }
         let tmux = self.inner.tmux.clone();
         let bytes = text.as_bytes().to_vec();
@@ -1668,10 +1765,9 @@ impl SessionManager {
     /// Resize a session's window. No-op for a dead session, as with
     /// [`Self::send_keys`].
     pub async fn resize(&self, id: Uuid, cols: u16, rows: u16) -> Result<(), SessionError> {
-        match self.status(id).await {
-            None => return Err(SessionError::NotFound(id)),
-            Some(SessionStatus::Dead) => return Ok(()),
-            Some(SessionStatus::Running) => {}
+        match self.terminal_status(id).await? {
+            SessionStatus::Dead => return Ok(()),
+            SessionStatus::Running => {}
         }
         let tmux = self.inner.tmux.clone();
         tmux_blocking(move || tmux.resize_window(id, cols, rows))
@@ -1703,6 +1799,7 @@ impl SessionManager {
         cols: u16,
         rows: u16,
     ) -> Result<(), SessionError> {
+        self.terminal_status(id).await?;
         let target = self
             .inner
             .viewports
@@ -2807,13 +2904,15 @@ mod tests {
     async fn manager_with_structured_stream() -> (
         tempfile::TempDir,
         SessionManager,
+        Arc<FakePanes>,
         uuid::Uuid,
         Arc<tokio::sync::Mutex<AcpEventStream>>,
         uuid::Uuid,
     ) {
         let state = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let panes = Arc::new(FakePanes::new());
         let manager = SessionManager::new(
-            Arc::new(FakePanes::new()),
+            panes.clone(),
             SidecarStore::new(state.path().join("sessions")),
             WorktreeManager::new(None),
             state.path().join("fifos"),
@@ -2848,12 +2947,12 @@ mod tests {
             record.focused_since = Some(std::time::Instant::now() - FOCUS_CLEAR_HOLD);
             record.acp_events = Some(events.clone());
         }
-        (state, manager, structured.id, events, terminal.id)
+        (state, manager, panes, structured.id, events, terminal.id)
     }
 
     #[tokio::test]
     async fn blocked_structured_activity_read_does_not_block_the_catalog() {
-        let (state, manager, structured_id, events, terminal_id) =
+        let (state, manager, _panes, structured_id, events, terminal_id) =
             manager_with_structured_stream().await;
         let held_stream = events.lock().await;
         let activity_pass = run_structured_activity_pass(&manager.inner);
@@ -2898,9 +2997,55 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(structured.activity, ActivityState::Idle);
     }
 
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn structured_sessions_reject_every_pty_operation_before_panes() {
+        let (_state, manager, panes, structured_id, _events, terminal_id) =
+            manager_with_structured_stream().await;
+        let before = panes.calls();
+
+        assert!(matches!(
+            manager.subscribe_pty(structured_id).await,
+            Err(super::SessionError::NotTerminal(id)) if id == structured_id
+        ));
+        assert!(matches!(
+            manager.subscribe_pty_with_replay(structured_id).await,
+            Err(super::SessionError::NotTerminal(id)) if id == structured_id
+        ));
+        assert!(matches!(
+            manager.send_keys(structured_id, b"ignored").await,
+            Err(super::SessionError::NotTerminal(id)) if id == structured_id
+        ));
+        assert!(matches!(
+            manager.send_input(structured_id, "ignored", false).await,
+            Err(super::SessionError::NotTerminal(id)) if id == structured_id
+        ));
+        assert!(matches!(
+            manager.resize(structured_id, 80, 24).await,
+            Err(super::SessionError::NotTerminal(id)) if id == structured_id
+        ));
+        assert!(matches!(
+            manager
+                .set_viewport(structured_id, manager.attach_viewport(), 80, 24)
+                .await,
+            Err(super::SessionError::NotTerminal(id)) if id == structured_id
+        ));
+
+        let after = panes.calls();
+        assert_eq!(after, before, "structured PTY operations touched panes");
+
+        manager
+            .send_input(terminal_id, "works", false)
+            .await
+            .expect("terminal input remains available");
+        manager
+            .resize(terminal_id, 100, 30)
+            .await
+            .expect("terminal resize remains available");
+    }
+
     #[tokio::test]
     async fn delayed_activity_from_a_replaced_stream_is_discarded() {
-        let (_state, manager, structured_id, old_events, _terminal_id) =
+        let (_state, manager, _panes, structured_id, old_events, _terminal_id) =
             manager_with_structured_stream().await;
         let replacement = Arc::new(tokio::sync::Mutex::new(stream(
             manager

crates/maestro-daemon/tests/acp.rs

@@ -950,6 +950,191 @@ async fn shutdown_waits_for_structured_creation_and_rejects_new_creates() {
     assert_eq!(fake.log().matches("signal SIGTERM").count(), 1);
 }
 
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn structured_handshakes_run_independently() {
+    let fx = DaemonFixture::new();
+    let blocked = Fake::new();
+    let ready = Fake::new();
+    let cwd = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+    let gate = cwd.path().join("release-first");
+    let mut blocked_env = blocked.env();
+    blocked_env.insert(
+        "FAKE_ACP_SESSION_NEW_GATE".into(),
+        gate.to_string_lossy().into_owned(),
+    );
+
+    let first_cwd = cwd.path().to_path_buf();
+    let manager = fx.manager.clone();
+    let first =
+        tokio::spawn(async move { manager.create(structured(&first_cwd, blocked_env)).await });
+    wait_for_async(Duration::from_secs(5), || async {
+        blocked.log().contains("recv session/new")
+    })
+    .await;
+
+    let second = tokio::time::timeout(
+        Duration::from_secs(5),
+        fx.manager.create(structured(cwd.path(), ready.env())),
+    )
+    .await
+    .expect("second handshake was blocked by the first")
+    .expect("second create");
+    assert_eq!(second.status, SessionStatus::Running);
+    assert!(!first.is_finished(), "the gate must still block the first");
+
+    std::fs::write(&gate, b"release").unwrap();
+    let first = first.await.expect("first task").expect("first create");
+    fx.manager.kill(first.id, false).await.expect("kill first");
+    fx.manager
+        .kill(second.id, false)
+        .await
+        .expect("kill second");
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn shutdown_waits_for_every_admitted_structured_create() {
+    let fx = DaemonFixture::new();
+    let a = Fake::new();
+    let b = Fake::new();
+    let late = Fake::new();
+    let cwd = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+    let gate_a = cwd.path().join("release-a");
+    let gate_b = cwd.path().join("release-b");
+    let mut env_a = a.env();
+    let mut env_b = b.env();
+    env_a.insert(
+        "FAKE_ACP_SESSION_NEW_GATE".into(),
+        gate_a.to_string_lossy().into_owned(),
+    );
+    env_b.insert(
+        "FAKE_ACP_SESSION_NEW_GATE".into(),
+        gate_b.to_string_lossy().into_owned(),
+    );
+
+    let create_a = {
+        let manager = fx.manager.clone();
+        let cwd = cwd.path().to_path_buf();
+        tokio::spawn(async move { manager.create(structured(&cwd, env_a)).await })
+    };
+    let create_b = {
+        let manager = fx.manager.clone();
+        let cwd = cwd.path().to_path_buf();
+        tokio::spawn(async move { manager.create(structured(&cwd, env_b)).await })
+    };
+    wait_for_async(Duration::from_secs(5), || async {
+        a.log().contains("recv session/new") && b.log().contains("recv session/new")
+    })
+    .await;
+
+    let shutdown = {
+        let manager = fx.manager.clone();
+        tokio::spawn(async move { manager.shutdown().await })
+    };
+    wait_for_async(Duration::from_secs(5), || async {
+        matches!(
+            fx.manager.create(structured(cwd.path(), late.env())).await,
+            Err(maestro_daemon::SessionError::ShuttingDown)
+        )
+    })
+    .await;
+    assert!(!shutdown.is_finished());
+
+    std::fs::write(&gate_a, b"release").unwrap();
+    let session_a = create_a.await.expect("create a task").expect("create a");
+    assert!(
+        !shutdown.is_finished(),
+        "shutdown ignored the second create"
+    );
+
+    std::fs::write(&gate_b, b"release").unwrap();
+    let session_b = create_b.await.expect("create b task").expect("create b");
+    shutdown.await.expect("shutdown task");
+
+    wait_for_exit(a.pid()).await;
+    wait_for_exit(b.pid()).await;
+    assert_eq!(
+        fx.manager.status(session_a.id).await,
+        Some(SessionStatus::Dead)
+    );
+    assert_eq!(
+        fx.manager.status(session_b.id).await,
+        Some(SessionStatus::Dead)
+    );
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn cancelling_a_structured_handshake_rolls_back_and_settles_admission() {
+    let fx = DaemonFixture::new();
+    let fake = Fake::new();
+    let repo = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+    init_repo(repo.path());
+    let gate = repo.path().join("release-create");
+    let mut env = fake.env();
+    env.insert("FAKE_ACP_ECHO_ENV".into(), "MAESTRO_SESSION_ID".into());
+    env.insert(
+        "FAKE_ACP_SESSION_NEW_GATE".into(),
+        gate.to_string_lossy().into_owned(),
+    );
+    let request = CreateSessionRequest {
+        view: SessionView::Structured,
+        cwd: repo.path().to_path_buf(),
+        command: "claude".into(),
+        env,
+        metadata: HashMap::new(),
+        worktree: Some(WorktreeSpec {
+            base_repo: repo.path().to_path_buf(),
+            branch: "cancelled-create".into(),
+            create_branch: true,
+        }),
+    };
+
+    let create = {
+        let manager = fx.manager.clone();
+        tokio::spawn(async move { manager.create(request).await })
+    };
+    wait_for_async(Duration::from_secs(5), || async {
+        fake.log().contains("recv session/new")
+    })
+    .await;
+    let id = fake
+        .log()
+        .lines()
+        .find_map(|line| line.strip_prefix("env MAESTRO_SESSION_ID="))
+        .and_then(|id| uuid::Uuid::parse_str(id).ok())
+        .expect("session id in adapter log");
+    let pid = fake.pid();
+
+    create.abort();
+    let shutdown = {
+        let manager = fx.manager.clone();
+        tokio::spawn(async move { manager.shutdown().await })
+    };
+    assert!(create.await.unwrap_err().is_cancelled());
+    tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(5), shutdown)
+        .await
+        .expect("cancelled admission kept shutdown waiting")
+        .expect("shutdown task");
+    wait_for_exit(pid).await;
+    wait_for_async(Duration::from_secs(5), || async {
+        !fx.fifo_dir().join(format!("{id}.fifo")).exists()
+            && !repo.path().join("cancelled-create").exists()
+    })
+    .await;
+    assert!(fx.manager.snapshot().await.is_empty());
+    let id = id.to_string();
+    assert!(
+        std::fs::read_dir(fx.sidecar_dir())
+            .into_iter()
+            .flatten()
+            .all(|entry| !entry
+                .unwrap()
+                .file_name()
+                .to_string_lossy()
+                .starts_with(&id)),
+        "cancelled create left a sidecar artifact"
+    );
+}
+
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn shutdown_drains_final_notifications_to_the_log() {
     let fx = DaemonFixture::new();

crates/maestro-daemon/tests/local_api.rs

@@ -1311,6 +1311,39 @@ async fn attach_ws_streams_pty_bytes() {
     assert!(saw_hello, "PTY did not echo through the attach WS");
 }
 
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn pty_routes_reject_structured_sessions_as_not_terminal() {
+    let h = spawn("naps-laptop").await;
+    let fake = FakeAcp::new();
+    let id = structured_session(&h, &fake).await;
+
+    let response = reqwest::Client::new()
+        .post(url(h.addr, &format!("/api/sessions/{id}/input")))
+        .json(&maestro_protocol::SendInputRequest {
+            text: "ignored".into(),
+            submit: false,
+        })
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(response.status(), reqwest::StatusCode::CONFLICT);
+    let error: ApiError = response.json().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(error.error.code, "not_terminal");
+    assert_eq!(error.error.message, "session is not a terminal session");
+
+    let error = connect_async(ws_url(h.addr, &format!("/api/attach/{id}")))
+        .await
+        .expect_err("structured session must not upgrade to a PTY socket");
+    let tokio_tungstenite::tungstenite::Error::Http(response) = error else {
+        panic!("expected an HTTP handshake rejection, got {error}");
+    };
+    assert_eq!(response.status(), reqwest::StatusCode::CONFLICT);
+    let body = response.body().as_deref().expect("ApiError response body");
+    let error: ApiError = serde_json::from_slice(body).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(error.error.code, "not_terminal");
+    assert_eq!(error.error.message, "session is not a terminal session");
+}
+
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn attach_ws_for_unknown_session_returns_404() {
     let h = spawn("naps-laptop").await;

crates/maestro-tui/src/draft.rs

@@ -41,8 +41,10 @@ use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
 
 use chrono::{DateTime, Utc};
 use maestro_config::{builtin_presets, custom_preset};
-use maestro_protocol::display::abbreviate_dir;
-use maestro_protocol::{BranchInfo, CreateSessionRequest, Project, SpawnPreset, WorktreeSpec};
+use maestro_protocol::display::{abbreviate_dir, command_tool};
+use maestro_protocol::{
+    BranchInfo, CreateSessionRequest, Project, SessionView, SpawnPreset, WorktreeSpec,
+};
 use ratatui::layout::{Constraint, Layout, Rect};
 use ratatui::style::{Modifier, Style};
 use ratatui::text::{Line, Span};
@@ -86,9 +88,11 @@ pub enum DraftField {
     /// apply immediately, mirroring the web form's per-click choice.
     WorktreeChoice,
     Name,
-    /// Disclosure collapsing the worktree/branch controls below (#93).
+    /// Disclosure collapsing the optional view and worktree controls below.
     /// Closed by default; Enter / Space toggles.
     Advanced,
+    /// ACP-backed transcript instead of a terminal. Claude Code only.
+    StructuredToggle,
     /// Worktree on/off for this session (#65). Enter / Space toggles.
     WorktreeToggle,
     /// New-vs-existing branch source; Left / Right switches.
@@ -251,6 +255,9 @@ pub struct DraftPane {
     /// "Advanced options" disclosure (#93). Closed by default — most spawns
     /// take the default target.
     pub advanced_collapsed: bool,
+    /// ACP-backed structured transcript. Off by default and supported only
+    /// when the resolved command is Claude Code.
+    pub structured_view: bool,
     /// Enclosing repository of the chosen target — from the project scan for
     /// picked rows, `/api/gitroot` for raw paths. `None` until known.
     pub base_repo: Option<PathBuf>,
@@ -311,6 +318,7 @@ impl Default for DraftPane {
             name_touched: false,
             worktree_enabled: true,
             advanced_collapsed: true,
+            structured_view: false,
             base_repo: None,
             probed_cwd: None,
             probe_seq: 0,
@@ -348,6 +356,7 @@ impl DraftPane {
             .position(|p| !p.command.is_empty())
             .unwrap_or(0);
         self.apply_seed_command();
+        self.clear_unsupported_structured_view();
     }
 
     /// Land a seeded command on the tile that runs it: its own preset when the
@@ -663,6 +672,22 @@ impl DraftPane {
         }
     }
 
+    fn supports_structured_view(&self) -> bool {
+        command_tool(self.command()) == Some("claude")
+    }
+
+    fn clear_unsupported_structured_view(&mut self) {
+        if !self.supports_structured_view() {
+            self.structured_view = false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn toggle_structured_view(&mut self) {
+        if self.supports_structured_view() {
+            self.structured_view = !self.structured_view;
+        }
+    }
+
     /// The chosen working directory: a picked project row, else the raw path
     /// input when it holds something.
     pub fn cwd(&self) -> Option<PathBuf> {
@@ -694,7 +719,11 @@ impl DraftPane {
         }
         let worktree = self.build_worktree()?;
         Ok(CreateSessionRequest {
-            view: Default::default(),
+            view: if self.structured_view && self.supports_structured_view() {
+                SessionView::Structured
+            } else {
+                SessionView::Terminal
+            },
             cwd,
             command: command.to_string(),
             env: Default::default(),
@@ -754,6 +783,9 @@ impl DraftPane {
         order.push(DraftField::Name);
         order.push(DraftField::Advanced);
         if !self.advanced_collapsed {
+            if self.supports_structured_view() {
+                order.push(DraftField::StructuredToggle);
+            }
             if !self.cwd_raw_visible && self.selected_group_key.is_some() {
                 order.push(DraftField::WorktreeChoice);
             }
@@ -795,6 +827,7 @@ impl DraftPane {
         }
         self.selected_preset =
             ((self.selected_preset as i32) + delta).rem_euclid(len as i32) as usize;
+        self.clear_unsupported_structured_view();
     }
 
     /// Step-one boxes surviving the type-to-filter, in display order. A
@@ -1001,9 +1034,9 @@ impl DraftPane {
             // Two fields keep their own Enter instead: `DirPicker`, whose
             // highlighted row isn't the picked one until a first Enter chooses
             // it (the next Enter, now that it's active, falls through to
-            // submit); and the disclosure/toggle pair (`Advanced`,
-            // `WorktreeToggle`), which activate on Enter like a button rather
-            // than submitting, same as the web form's own `<button>` controls.
+            // submit); and the disclosure/checkbox fields, which activate on
+            // Enter like buttons rather than submitting, matching the web
+            // form controls.
             InputKey::Enter if self.focused_field == DraftField::DirPicker => {
                 let is_other_row = self.selection() >= self.visible_groups().len();
                 let choose_only =
@@ -1023,6 +1056,10 @@ impl DraftPane {
                 self.toggle_worktree();
                 DraftInputResult::Consumed
             }
+            InputKey::Enter if self.focused_field == DraftField::StructuredToggle => {
+                self.toggle_structured_view();
+                DraftInputResult::Consumed
+            }
             InputKey::Enter => DraftInputResult::Submit,
             InputKey::Char {
                 c: ' ',
@@ -1040,6 +1077,14 @@ impl DraftPane {
                 self.toggle_worktree();
                 DraftInputResult::Consumed
             }
+            InputKey::Char {
+                c: ' ',
+                ctrl: false,
+                ..
+            } if self.focused_field == DraftField::StructuredToggle => {
+                self.toggle_structured_view();
+                DraftInputResult::Consumed
+            }
             InputKey::Up if self.focused_field == DraftField::DirPicker => {
                 self.move_selection(-1);
                 DraftInputResult::Consumed
@@ -1083,7 +1128,10 @@ impl DraftPane {
             other => {
                 match self.focused_field {
                     DraftField::Preset | DraftField::Submit => {}
-                    DraftField::CustomCommand => self.custom_command.handle_key(other),
+                    DraftField::CustomCommand => {
+                        self.custom_command.handle_key(other);
+                        self.clear_unsupported_structured_view();
+                    }
                     // Typing filters the list; the highlight resets to the top
                     // so a narrowed search always starts at its best match.
                     DraftField::DirPicker => {
@@ -1121,9 +1169,9 @@ impl DraftPane {
 
         let show_custom = self.is_custom();
         let show_raw = self.cwd_raw_visible;
-        // The worktree choice step, the worktree toggle and its body all stay
-        // behind the "Advanced options" disclosure (#93): collapsed hides
-        // them, regardless of what they'd otherwise show.
+        let show_structured = !self.advanced_collapsed && self.supports_structured_view();
+        // Optional view and worktree controls stay behind the "Advanced
+        // options" disclosure (#93), regardless of what they'd otherwise show.
         let show_wt_toggle = !self.advanced_collapsed;
         let show_wt_body = show_wt_toggle && self.worktree_body_visible();
         let show_wt_choice =
@@ -1142,6 +1190,7 @@ impl DraftPane {
         let fixed: u16 = 3 /* tiles + dir + name */ + 1 /* advanced header */ + 1 /* spawn */
             + u16::from(show_custom)
             + u16::from(show_raw)
+            + u16::from(show_structured)
             + u16::from(show_wt_toggle)
             + u16::from(show_wt_choice) * wt_choice_capacity
             + u16::from(show_wt_body) * (1 + if self.branch_mode == WorktreeBranchMode::New { 1 } else { branch_rows })
@@ -1161,6 +1210,9 @@ impl DraftPane {
         }
         constraints.push(Constraint::Length(1)); // name
         constraints.push(Constraint::Length(1)); // advanced header
+        if show_structured {
+            constraints.push(Constraint::Length(1));
+        }
         if show_wt_choice {
             constraints.push(Constraint::Length(wt_choice_capacity));
         }
@@ -1359,6 +1411,24 @@ impl DraftPane {
             advanced_row,
         );
 
+        if show_structured {
+            let row = next_row();
+            f.render_widget(
+                Paragraph::new(Line::from(vec![
+                    Span::raw(format!("{:<GUTTER$}", "view:")),
+                    Span::styled(
+                        if self.structured_view {
+                            "[x] structured view"
+                        } else {
+                            "[ ] structured view"
+                        },
+                        field_style(DraftField::StructuredToggle),
+                    ),
+                ])),
+                row,
+            );
+        }
+
         if show_wt_choice {
             // Step two (#96 rule 3): "+ new" first, then the repository's
             // worktrees newest-first.
@@ -1817,6 +1887,45 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(req.cwd, PathBuf::from("/srv/work"));
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn structured_view_is_default_off_and_only_visible_for_claude_code() {
+        let mut draft = DraftPane {
+            advanced_collapsed: false,
+            ..DraftPane::default()
+        };
+        assert!(!draft.structured_view);
+        assert!(draft.field_order().contains(&DraftField::StructuredToggle));
+        let rendered = render_to_string(100, 24, |f| draft.render(f, f.area(), true));
+        assert!(rendered.contains("[ ] structured view"), "{rendered}");
+
+        draft.toggle_structured_view();
+        assert!(draft.structured_view);
+        draft.cycle_preset(1);
+        assert_eq!(draft.command(), "opencode");
+        assert!(
+            !draft.structured_view,
+            "a hidden value must not stay checked"
+        );
+        assert!(!draft.field_order().contains(&DraftField::StructuredToggle));
+        let rendered = render_to_string(100, 24, |f| draft.render(f, f.area(), true));
+        assert!(!rendered.contains("structured view"), "{rendered}");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn structured_view_request_is_guarded_against_a_stale_command() {
+        let mut draft = DraftPane {
+            picked_cwd: Some(PathBuf::from("/srv/work")),
+            worktree_enabled: false,
+            structured_view: true,
+            ..DraftPane::default()
+        };
+        assert_eq!(draft.build_request().unwrap().view, SessionView::Structured);
+
+        draft.selected_preset = 1;
+        assert_eq!(draft.command(), "opencode");
+        assert_eq!(draft.build_request().unwrap().view, SessionView::Terminal);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn projects_render_sorted_with_stale_dimmed_and_other_directory_last() {
         let mut draft = DraftPane {

docs/STRUCTURED-VIEW.md

@@ -162,8 +162,10 @@ choices, not daemon ones.
 **A client decides:**
 
 - How each row kind is drawn — markdown for `AgentText`/`AgentThought`, a
-  diff view for `ToolDiff`, a tool card for `ToolCall`, a checklist for
-  `Plan`, and a floor presentation for `Notice`.
+  diff view for `ToolDiff`, a tool card for `ToolCall`, and a floor
+  presentation for `Notice`. `Plan` is the exception: both clients omit it
+  from the transcript entirely and render the current plan in a separate
+  plan rail (web) / status line (TUI) instead.
 - How `responding` vs. `thinking` are distinguished visually, if at all.
 - How the operator is asked to resolve an `Approval` row — the daemon only
   exposes the three-way decision (`AllowOnce` / `AllowForSession` / `Deny`),

web/src/spawnForm.test.ts

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ const base: SpawnFormValues = {
   command: "claude",
   cwd: "/home/user/project",
   name: "amber-fox",
+  structuredView: false,
   worktreeEnabled: false,
   worktreeBranch: "",
   worktreeBranchMode: "new",
@@ -25,6 +26,22 @@ describe("buildSpawnRequest", () => {
     expect(res).toEqual({ req: { cwd: base.cwd, command: base.command, metadata: {} } });
   });
 
+  it("requests structured view only for Claude Code", () => {
+    expect(buildSpawnRequest({ ...base, structuredView: true }, null)).toEqual({
+      req: {
+        cwd: base.cwd,
+        command: "claude",
+        metadata: { name: "amber-fox" },
+        view: "Structured",
+      },
+    });
+    expect(
+      buildSpawnRequest({ ...base, command: "opencode", structuredView: true }, null),
+    ).toEqual({
+      req: { cwd: base.cwd, command: "opencode", metadata: { name: "amber-fox" } },
+    });
+  });
+
   it("attaches a trimmed branch when worktree is enabled, and always cleans up", () => {
     const res = buildSpawnRequest(
       { ...base, worktreeEnabled: true, worktreeBranch: "  feat/foo  " },

web/src/spawnForm.ts

@@ -11,6 +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 { abbreviateCwd } from "./types.js";
 import type { BranchInfo, CreateSessionRequest, Project, Session, SpawnPreset } from "./types.js";
 
@@ -40,6 +41,7 @@ export interface SpawnFormValues {
   command: string;
   cwd: string;
   name: string;
+  structuredView: boolean;
   worktreeEnabled: boolean;
   worktreeBranch: string;
   worktreeBranchEdited: boolean;
@@ -66,6 +68,10 @@ export function buildSpawnRequest(
     metadata,
   };
 
+  if (values.structuredView && splitCommand(values.command).tool === "claude") {
+    req.view = "Structured";
+  }
+
   if (values.worktreeEnabled) {
     const mode = values.worktreeBranchMode ?? "new";
     const branch = values.worktreeBranch.trim();
@@ -153,6 +159,10 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
         <span class="wt-summary"></span>
       </button>
       <div class="wt-collapsible" hidden>
+        <label class="row-inline structured-view" hidden>
+          <input type="checkbox" name="structured_view" />
+          Structured view
+        </label>
         <div class="field wt-step" hidden>
           <span class="field-label">Worktree</span>
           <div class="picker wt-choices"></div>
@@ -203,6 +213,8 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
   const wtChoices = form.querySelector(".wt-choices") as HTMLElement;
   const cwdRawWrap = form.querySelector(".cwd-raw-wrap") as HTMLElement;
   const cwdRaw = form.querySelector(".cwd-raw") as HTMLInputElement;
+  const structuredWrap = form.querySelector(".structured-view") as HTMLElement;
+  const structuredView = form.querySelector("input[name=structured_view]") as HTMLInputElement;
   const wtEnabled = form.querySelector("input[name=worktree_enabled]") as HTMLInputElement;
   const wtToggle = form.querySelector(".wt-toggle") as HTMLButtonElement;
   const wtCollapsible = form.querySelector(".wt-collapsible") as HTMLElement;
@@ -248,6 +260,7 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
       command,
       cwd,
       name: nameInput.value,
+      structuredView: structuredView.checked,
       worktreeEnabled: wtEnabled.checked,
       worktreeBranch: branchValue(),
       worktreeBranchEdited: branchEdited,
@@ -317,6 +330,7 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
     } else {
       command = preset!.command;
     }
+    updateStructuredAvailability();
     for (const tile of cmdTiles.querySelectorAll(".tile")) {
       tile.classList.toggle("is-active", (tile as HTMLElement).dataset.id === id);
     }
@@ -354,10 +368,19 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
   // operator has already touched (#76).
   let commandTouched = false;
 
+  function updateStructuredAvailability(): void {
+    const supported = splitCommand(command).tool === "claude";
+    structuredWrap.hidden = !supported;
+    if (!supported) structuredView.checked = false;
+  }
+
+  structuredView.addEventListener("change", emit);
+
   cmdRaw.addEventListener("input", () => {
     if (selectedPresetId === "custom" || presets.find((p) => p.id === selectedPresetId)?.command === "") {
       commandTouched = true;
       command = cmdRaw.value.trim();
+      updateStructuredAvailability();
       emit();
     }
   });
@@ -844,10 +867,11 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
     if (e.key !== "Enter" || e.defaultPrevented) return;
     const target = e.target as HTMLElement;
 
-    if (target === wtEnabled) {
+    if (target === wtEnabled || target === structuredView) {
       e.preventDefault();
-      wtEnabled.checked = !wtEnabled.checked;
-      wtEnabled.dispatchEvent(new Event("change"));
+      const checkbox = target as HTMLInputElement;
+      checkbox.checked = !checkbox.checked;
+      checkbox.dispatchEvent(new Event("change"));
       return;
     }
 
@@ -885,6 +909,7 @@ export function createSpawnForm(opts: SpawnFormOptions): SpawnFormHandle {
         command,
         cwd,
         name: nameInput.value,
+        structuredView: structuredView.checked,
         worktreeEnabled: wtEnabled.checked,
         worktreeBranch: branchValue(),
         worktreeBranchEdited: branchEdited,

web/src/spawnFormStructured.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+// @vitest-environment happy-dom
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+
+import { createSpawnForm, type SpawnFormHandle } from "./spawnForm.js";
+
+function stubApi(): RequestInit[] {
+  const sessionRequests: RequestInit[] = [];
+  vi.stubGlobal(
+    "fetch",
+    vi.fn(async (input: RequestInfo | URL, init?: RequestInit) => {
+      const url = String(input);
+      if (url.includes("/api/sessions") && init?.method === "POST") {
+        sessionRequests.push(init);
+        return new Response(JSON.stringify({ id: "s1", command: "claude", cwd: "/srv/work" }), {
+          status: 200,
+        });
+      }
+      if (url.includes("/api/info")) {
+        return new Response(
+          JSON.stringify({ hostname: "h", version: "0", home_dir: "/home/user" }),
+          { status: 200 },
+        );
+      }
+      if (url.includes("/api/names")) {
+        return new Response(JSON.stringify({ names: ["amber-fox"] }), { status: 200 });
+      }
+      return new Response(JSON.stringify([]), { status: 200 });
+    }),
+  );
+  return sessionRequests;
+}
+
+describe("spawn form structured view", () => {
+  let handle: SpawnFormHandle | null = null;
+
+  async function drain(): Promise<void> {
+    for (let i = 0; i < 20; i++) await Promise.resolve();
+  }
+
+  afterEach(async () => {
+    handle?.destroy();
+    handle = null;
+    await drain();
+    vi.unstubAllGlobals();
+  });
+
+  it("is default-off and shown only for the resolved Claude Code command", async () => {
+    stubApi();
+    handle = createSpawnForm({ onSuccess() {} });
+    document.body.appendChild(handle.el);
+    await drain();
+
+    const wrap = handle.el.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".structured-view")!;
+    const checkbox = wrap.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>("input")!;
+    const disclosure = handle.el.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".wt-collapsible")!;
+    expect(disclosure.hidden).toBe(true);
+    handle.el.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>(".wt-toggle")!.click();
+    expect(disclosure.hidden).toBe(false);
+    expect(wrap.hidden).toBe(false);
+    expect(checkbox.checked).toBe(false);
+
+    handle.el.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>('[data-id="opencode"]')!.click();
+    expect(wrap.hidden).toBe(true);
+
+    handle.el.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>('[data-id="claude"]')!.click();
+    expect(wrap.hidden).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("clears a checked value when the command changes away from Claude Code", async () => {
+    stubApi();
+    handle = createSpawnForm({ onSuccess() {} });
+    document.body.appendChild(handle.el);
+    await drain();
+
+    const checkbox = handle.el.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>("input[name=structured_view]")!;
+    checkbox.click();
+    expect(checkbox.checked).toBe(true);
+
+    const custom = handle.el.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>('[data-id="custom"]')!;
+    custom.click();
+    const command = handle.el.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>(".cmd-raw")!;
+    command.value = "opencode";
+    command.dispatchEvent(new Event("input"));
+
+    expect(checkbox.closest<HTMLElement>(".structured-view")!.hidden).toBe(true);
+    expect(checkbox.checked).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("emits Structured in the submitted request when selected", async () => {
+    const requests = stubApi();
+    handle = createSpawnForm({
+      seed: { cwd: "/srv/work", cwdRawVisible: true, worktreeEnabled: false },
+      onSuccess() {},
+    });
+    document.body.appendChild(handle.el);
+    await drain();
+
+    handle.el.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>("input[name=structured_view]")!.click();
+    handle.el.requestSubmit();
+    await drain();
+
+    expect(requests).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(JSON.parse(String(requests[0].body))).toMatchObject({
+      command: "claude",
+      view: "Structured",
+    });
+  });
+});

web/src/structured.test.ts

@@ -44,6 +44,22 @@ function row(id: string, kind: TranscriptRow["kind"], data: unknown): Transcript
   return { id, kind, data };
 }
 
+function toolRow(id: string, text: string): TranscriptRow {
+  return row(id, "tool_call", {
+    title: `Read(${id})`,
+    status: "completed",
+    content: [{ type: "content", content: { type: "text", text } }],
+  });
+}
+
+function diffRow(id: string, newText: string): TranscriptRow {
+  return row(id, "tool_diff", {
+    title: `Edit(${id})`,
+    status: "completed",
+    content: [{ type: "diff", path: "file.ts", oldText: "before", newText }],
+  });
+}
+
 const idleState: ReducedState = { turn: { responding: false, thinking: false, active_tool_calls: [] } };
 
 const allApprovalOptions = [
@@ -93,6 +109,121 @@ describe("structured connection: data flow", () => {
     conn.dispose();
   });
 
+  it("keeps snapshot plan rows out of the transcript while rendering the plan rail", () => {
+    const ws = new FakeSocket();
+    const conn = mount({ sockets: [ws] });
+    ws.open();
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "transcript_snapshot",
+      snapshot: {
+        cursor: 3,
+        rows: [
+          row("user:1", "user", { content: { type: "text", text: "before plan" } }),
+          row("plan", "plan", { entries: [{ content: "ship it", status: "pending" }] }),
+          row("agent:1", "agent_text", { content: { type: "text", text: "after plan" } }),
+        ],
+      },
+    });
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "reduced_state",
+      state: {
+        ...idleState,
+        plan: { entries: [{ content: "ship it", priority: "high", status: "pending" }] },
+      },
+    });
+
+    const transcript = conn.el.querySelector(".structured-rows")!;
+    expect(transcript.querySelectorAll(".st-row")).toHaveLength(2);
+    expect(transcript.querySelector('[data-row-id="plan"]')).toBeNull();
+    expect(transcript.textContent).toContain("before plan");
+    expect(transcript.textContent).toContain("after plan");
+    expect(transcript.textContent).not.toContain("[plan]");
+    expect(conn.el.querySelector(".structured-rail")!.textContent).toContain("ship it");
+    conn.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("applies plan append, patch, and remove without disturbing surrounding rows", () => {
+    const ws = new FakeSocket();
+    const conn = mount({ sockets: [ws] });
+    ws.open();
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "transcript_snapshot",
+      snapshot: {
+        cursor: 1,
+        rows: [row("user:1", "user", { content: { type: "text", text: "keep me" } })],
+      },
+    });
+    ws.emit({ type: "reduced_state", state: idleState });
+
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "projection_update",
+      transcript: {
+        type: "append",
+        row: row("plan", "plan", { entries: [{ content: "first", status: "pending" }] }),
+      },
+      state: {
+        ...idleState,
+        plan: { entries: [{ content: "first", priority: "high", status: "pending" }] },
+      },
+    });
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "projection_update",
+      transcript: {
+        type: "append",
+        row: row("agent:1", "agent_text", { content: { type: "text", text: "still here" } }),
+      },
+      state: {
+        ...idleState,
+        plan: { entries: [{ content: "first", priority: "high", status: "pending" }] },
+      },
+    });
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "projection_update",
+      transcript: {
+        type: "patch",
+        row: row("plan", "plan", { entries: [{ content: "updated", status: "completed" }] }),
+      },
+      state: {
+        ...idleState,
+        plan: { entries: [{ content: "updated", priority: "high", status: "completed" }] },
+      },
+    });
+
+    const transcript = conn.el.querySelector(".structured-rows")!;
+    expect([...transcript.querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>(".st-row")].map((el) => el.dataset.rowId)).toEqual([
+      "user:1",
+      "agent:1",
+    ]);
+    expect(conn.el.querySelector(".structured-rail")!.textContent).toContain("updated");
+    expect(conn.el.querySelector(".structured-rail")!.textContent).not.toContain("first");
+
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "projection_update",
+      transcript: { type: "remove", id: "plan" },
+      state: idleState,
+    });
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "projection_update",
+      transcript: {
+        type: "patch",
+        row: row("agent:1", "agent_text", { content: { type: "text", text: "patched neighbor" } }),
+      },
+      state: idleState,
+    });
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "projection_update",
+      transcript: { type: "remove", id: "user:1" },
+      state: idleState,
+    });
+
+    expect(conn.el.querySelector(".structured-rail .st-plan")).toBeNull();
+    expect([...transcript.querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>(".st-row")].map((el) => el.dataset.rowId)).toEqual([
+      "agent:1",
+    ]);
+    expect(transcript.textContent).toContain("patched neighbor");
+    conn.dispose();
+  });
+
   it("appends and patches rows via projection_update without duplicating them", () => {
     const ws = new FakeSocket();
     const conn = mount({ sockets: [ws] });
@@ -535,6 +666,110 @@ describe("structured connection: reconnection/error/loading", () => {
     conn.dispose();
   });
 
+  it("does not mount plan rows from a reconnect snapshot", () => {
+    const first = new FakeSocket();
+    const second = new FakeSocket();
+    const conn = mount({ sockets: [first, second], shouldReconnect: () => true });
+    first.open();
+    first.emit({
+      type: "transcript_snapshot",
+      snapshot: {
+        cursor: 1,
+        rows: [row("agent:old", "agent_text", { content: { type: "text", text: "old" } })],
+      },
+    });
+
+    first.drop();
+    vi.advanceTimersByTime(1000);
+    second.open();
+    second.emit({
+      type: "transcript_snapshot",
+      snapshot: {
+        cursor: 4,
+        rows: [
+          row("user:new", "user", { content: { type: "text", text: "new" } }),
+          row("plan", "plan", { entries: [{ content: "reconnected", status: "in_progress" }] }),
+        ],
+      },
+    });
+    second.emit({
+      type: "reduced_state",
+      state: {
+        ...idleState,
+        plan: { entries: [{ content: "reconnected", priority: "high", status: "in_progress" }] },
+      },
+    });
+
+    const transcript = conn.el.querySelector(".structured-rows")!;
+    expect(transcript.textContent).toBe("Younew");
+    expect(transcript.querySelector('[data-row-id="plan"]')).toBeNull();
+    expect(conn.el.querySelector(".structured-rail")!.textContent).toContain("reconnected");
+    conn.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("keeps surviving expanded rows open across a reconnect snapshot and leaves fresh rows collapsed", () => {
+    const first = new FakeSocket();
+    const second = new FakeSocket();
+    const conn = mount({ sockets: [first, second], shouldReconnect: () => true });
+    first.open();
+    first.emit({
+      type: "transcript_snapshot",
+      snapshot: { cursor: 2, rows: [toolRow("tool:1", "before"), diffRow("diff:1", "first")] },
+    });
+    for (const head of conn.el.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>(".st-tool-head")) head.click();
+
+    first.drop();
+    vi.advanceTimersByTime(1000);
+    second.open();
+    second.emit({
+      type: "transcript_snapshot",
+      snapshot: {
+        cursor: 3,
+        rows: [toolRow("tool:1", "after"), diffRow("diff:1", "second"), toolRow("tool:2", "new")],
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(
+      conn.el.querySelector('[data-row-id="tool:1"] .st-tool-head')?.getAttribute("aria-expanded"),
+    ).toBe("true");
+    expect(
+      conn.el.querySelector('[data-row-id="diff:1"] .st-tool-head')?.getAttribute("aria-expanded"),
+    ).toBe("true");
+    expect(
+      conn.el.querySelector('[data-row-id="tool:2"] .st-tool-head')?.getAttribute("aria-expanded"),
+    ).toBe("false");
+    expect(conn.el.querySelector('[data-row-id="tool:1"] .st-tool-out')?.textContent).toContain("after");
+    conn.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("prunes expanded IDs removed or made non-expandable by a snapshot", () => {
+    const ws = new FakeSocket();
+    const conn = mount({ sockets: [ws] });
+    ws.open();
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "transcript_snapshot",
+      snapshot: { cursor: 2, rows: [toolRow("tool:gone", "gone"), toolRow("tool:plain", "plain")] },
+    });
+    for (const head of conn.el.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>(".st-tool-head")) head.click();
+
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "transcript_snapshot",
+      snapshot: {
+        cursor: 3,
+        rows: [row("tool:plain", "agent_text", { content: { type: "text", text: "not a tool" } })],
+      },
+    });
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "transcript_snapshot",
+      snapshot: { cursor: 5, rows: [toolRow("tool:gone", "returned"), toolRow("tool:plain", "returned")] },
+    });
+
+    for (const head of conn.el.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>(".st-tool-head")) {
+      expect(head.getAttribute("aria-expanded")).toBe("false");
+    }
+    conn.dispose();
+  });
+
   it("keeps a local submission gated across a reconnect until begin-turn arrives", () => {
     vi.mocked(sendStructuredPrompt).mockImplementationOnce(() => new Promise(() => {}));
     const first = new FakeSocket();
@@ -697,6 +932,298 @@ describe("structured connection: reconnection/error/loading", () => {
   });
 });
 
+describe("structured connection: transcript scrolling", () => {
+  let frames: Map<number, FrameRequestCallback>;
+  let nextFrame: number;
+  let resizeCallback: ResizeObserverCallback;
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.clearAllMocks();
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+    frames = new Map();
+    nextFrame = 1;
+    vi.stubGlobal("requestAnimationFrame", (cb: FrameRequestCallback) => {
+      const id = nextFrame++;
+      frames.set(id, cb);
+      return id;
+    });
+    vi.stubGlobal("cancelAnimationFrame", (id: number) => {
+      frames.delete(id);
+    });
+    vi.stubGlobal("ResizeObserver", class {
+      constructor(callback: ResizeObserverCallback) {
+        resizeCallback = callback;
+      }
+      observe(): void {}
+      unobserve(): void {}
+      disconnect(): void {}
+    });
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    vi.useRealTimers();
+    vi.unstubAllGlobals();
+  });
+
+  function metrics(conn: ReturnType<typeof mount>, height: number, clientHeight: number, top = 0) {
+    const scroll = conn.el.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".structured-scroll")!;
+    const values = { height, clientHeight, top };
+    Object.defineProperties(scroll, {
+      scrollHeight: { configurable: true, get: () => values.height },
+      clientHeight: { configurable: true, get: () => values.clientHeight },
+      scrollTop: {
+        configurable: true,
+        get: () => values.top,
+        set: (value: number) => { values.top = value; },
+      },
+    });
+    return { scroll, values };
+  }
+
+  function runFrames(): void {
+    const pending = [...frames.entries()];
+    frames.clear();
+    for (const [, cb] of pending) cb(0);
+  }
+
+  function resizeBody(width: number): void {
+    resizeCallback(
+      [{ contentRect: { width } } as ResizeObserverEntry],
+      {} as ResizeObserver,
+    );
+  }
+
+  it("shows the bottom after the initial transcript snapshot is laid out", () => {
+    const ws = new FakeSocket();
+    const conn = mount({ sockets: [ws] });
+    const { values } = metrics(conn, 900, 300, 40);
+    ws.open();
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "transcript_snapshot",
+      snapshot: {
+        cursor: 1,
+        rows: [
+          row("agent:1", "agent_text", { content: { type: "text", text: "latest" } }),
+        ],
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(values.top).toBe(40);
+    runFrames();
+    expect(values.top).toBe(600);
+    conn.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("keeps pinned appends and patches at the bottom after layout", () => {
+    const ws = new FakeSocket();
+    const conn = mount({ sockets: [ws] });
+    const { values } = metrics(conn, 600, 200);
+    ws.open();
+    ws.emit({ type: "transcript_snapshot", snapshot: { cursor: 0, rows: [] } });
+    runFrames();
+
+    values.height = 720;
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "projection_update",
+      transcript: {
+        type: "append",
+        row: row("agent:1", "agent_text", { content: { type: "text", text: "partial" } }),
+      },
+      state: idleState,
+    });
+    runFrames();
+    expect(values.top).toBe(520);
+
+    values.height = 780;
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "projection_update",
+      transcript: {
+        type: "patch",
+        row: row("agent:1", "agent_text", {
+          content: { type: "text", text: "a longer completion" },
+        }),
+      },
+      state: idleState,
+    });
+    runFrames();
+    expect(values.top).toBe(580);
+    conn.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    { position: "pinned", top: 800, expected: 880, manuallyScrolled: false },
+    { position: "manually scrolled", top: 180, expected: 180, manuallyScrolled: true },
+  ])("preserves the $position position when the composer grows", ({ top, expected, manuallyScrolled }) => {
+    const ws = new FakeSocket();
+    const conn = mount({ sockets: [ws] });
+    const { scroll, values } = metrics(conn, 1000, 200);
+    ws.open();
+    ws.emit({ type: "transcript_snapshot", snapshot: { cursor: 0, rows: [] } });
+    runFrames();
+
+    values.top = top;
+    if (manuallyScrolled) scroll.dispatchEvent(new Event("scroll"));
+    const input = conn.el.querySelector<HTMLTextAreaElement>(".structured-input")!;
+    Object.defineProperty(input, "scrollHeight", { configurable: true, value: 120 });
+    input.value = "one\ntwo\nthree";
+    input.dispatchEvent(new Event("input"));
+    values.height = 1080;
+    runFrames();
+
+    expect(input.style.height).toBe("120px");
+    expect(values.top).toBe(expected);
+    conn.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    { position: "pinned", top: 800, expected: 850, manuallyScrolled: false },
+    { position: "manually scrolled", top: 180, expected: 180, manuallyScrolled: true },
+  ])("preserves the $position position across the narrow breakpoint", ({ top, expected, manuallyScrolled }) => {
+    const ws = new FakeSocket();
+    const conn = mount({ sockets: [ws] });
+    const { scroll, values } = metrics(conn, 1000, 200);
+    ws.open();
+    ws.emit({ type: "transcript_snapshot", snapshot: { cursor: 0, rows: [] } });
+    runFrames();
+
+    values.top = top;
+    if (manuallyScrolled) scroll.dispatchEvent(new Event("scroll"));
+    resizeBody(500);
+    values.clientHeight = 150;
+    runFrames();
+
+    expect(conn.el.querySelector(".structured-body")!.classList).toContain("st-narrow");
+    expect(values.top).toBe(expected);
+    resizeBody(500);
+    expect(frames.size).toBe(0);
+    conn.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("preserves a user-scrolled position across updates, approvals, and tool expansion", () => {
+    const ws = new FakeSocket();
+    const conn = mount({ sockets: [ws] });
+    const { scroll, values } = metrics(conn, 1000, 200);
+    ws.open();
+    ws.emit({ type: "transcript_snapshot", snapshot: { cursor: 1, rows: [toolRow("tool:1", "output")] } });
+    runFrames();
+
+    values.top = 180;
+    scroll.dispatchEvent(new Event("scroll"));
+    values.height = 1120;
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "projection_update",
+      transcript: { type: "append", row: row("agent:2", "agent_text", { content: { type: "text", text: "new" } }) },
+      state: idleState,
+    });
+    runFrames();
+    expect(values.top).toBe(180);
+
+    values.height = 1180;
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "projection_update",
+      transcript: {
+        type: "append",
+        row: row("approval:1", "approval", { toolCall: {}, options: allApprovalOptions }),
+      },
+      state: {
+        ...idleState,
+        pending_approval: {
+          nonce: "n1",
+          request: { sessionId: "s1", toolCall: {}, options: allApprovalOptions },
+        },
+      },
+    });
+    runFrames();
+    expect(values.top).toBe(180);
+
+    conn.el.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>(".st-tool-head")!.click();
+    values.height = 1260;
+    runFrames();
+    expect(values.top).toBe(180);
+    conn.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("resumes following when the user scrolls back near the bottom", () => {
+    const ws = new FakeSocket();
+    const conn = mount({ sockets: [ws] });
+    const { scroll, values } = metrics(conn, 1000, 200);
+    ws.open();
+    ws.emit({ type: "transcript_snapshot", snapshot: { cursor: 0, rows: [] } });
+    runFrames();
+
+    values.top = 750;
+    scroll.dispatchEvent(new Event("scroll"));
+    values.height = 1100;
+    ws.emit({
+      type: "projection_update",
+      transcript: {
+        type: "append",
+        row: row("agent:1", "agent_text", { content: { type: "text", text: "follow" } }),
+      },
+      state: idleState,
+    });
+    runFrames();
+    expect(values.top).toBe(900);
+    conn.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("preserves a user-scrolled position across a reconnect snapshot", () => {
+    const first = new FakeSocket();
+    const second = new FakeSocket();
+    const conn = mount({ sockets: [first, second], shouldReconnect: () => true });
+    const { scroll, values } = metrics(conn, 1000, 200);
+    first.open();
+    first.emit({ type: "transcript_snapshot", snapshot: { cursor: 0, rows: [] } });
+    runFrames();
+
+    values.top = 160;
+    scroll.dispatchEvent(new Event("scroll"));
+    first.drop();
+    vi.advanceTimersByTime(1000);
+    second.open();
+    values.height = 1200;
+    second.emit({
+      type: "transcript_snapshot",
+      snapshot: {
+        cursor: 1,
+        rows: [
+          row("agent:1", "agent_text", {
+            content: { type: "text", text: "reconnected" },
+          }),
+        ],
+      },
+    });
+    runFrames();
+    expect(values.top).toBe(160);
+    conn.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("cancels a pending transcript frame when disposed or parked", () => {
+    const ws = new FakeSocket();
+    const conn = mount({ sockets: [ws] });
+    const { values } = metrics(conn, 900, 300, 25);
+    ws.open();
+    ws.emit({ type: "transcript_snapshot", snapshot: { cursor: 0, rows: [] } });
+    expect(frames.size).toBe(1);
+
+    conn.onUnmount();
+    expect(frames.size).toBe(0);
+    const input = conn.el.querySelector<HTMLTextAreaElement>(".structured-input")!;
+    Object.defineProperty(input, "scrollHeight", { configurable: true, value: 120 });
+    input.dispatchEvent(new Event("input"));
+    resizeBody(500);
+    expect(frames.size).toBe(0);
+    conn.onMount({ focus: false });
+    expect(frames.size).toBe(2);
+    conn.dispose();
+    expect(frames.size).toBe(0);
+    resizeBody(700);
+    expect(conn.el.querySelector(".structured-body")!.classList).toContain("st-narrow");
+    runFrames();
+    expect(values.top).toBe(25);
+  });
+});
+
 describe("structured connection: pane lifecycle", () => {
   beforeEach(() => vi.clearAllMocks());
 

web/src/structured.ts

@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ export function createStructuredConnection(
   const stateEl = el.querySelector(".attach-state") as HTMLSpanElement;
   const pillsEl = el.querySelector(".st-pills") as HTMLSpanElement;
   const disconnectBtn = el.querySelector(".disconnect") as HTMLButtonElement;
+  const scrollEl = el.querySelector(".structured-scroll") as HTMLDivElement;
   const rowsEl = el.querySelector(".structured-rows") as HTMLDivElement;
   const railEl = el.querySelector(".structured-rail") as HTMLElement;
   const bodyEl = el.querySelector(".structured-body") as HTMLElement;
@@ -106,6 +107,7 @@ export function createStructuredConnection(
   let rows: TranscriptRow[] = [];
   const rowIndex = new Map<string, number>();
   const rowEls = new Map<string, HTMLElement>();
+  const expandedRowIds = new Set<string>();
   let state: ReducedState = { turn: idleTurn() };
   let pendingApprovalRowId: string | null = null;
   let latestSession: Session | undefined = store?.snapshot().sessions.get(sessionId);
@@ -116,6 +118,65 @@ export function createStructuredConnection(
   let stateSocketGeneration = 0;
   let disposed = false;
 
+  // Within 64px, wheel and touch imprecision should still count as following.
+  const FOLLOW_BOTTOM_THRESHOLD_PX = 64;
+  let followingBottom = true;
+  let receivedSnapshot = false;
+  let scrollWorkActive = true;
+  let parkedScrollTop: number | null = null;
+  let scrollFrame: number | null = null;
+  let pendingScroll: { top: number; follow: boolean } | null = null;
+
+  function cancelScrollFrame(): void {
+    if (scrollFrame !== null) window.cancelAnimationFrame(scrollFrame);
+    scrollFrame = null;
+    pendingScroll = null;
+  }
+
+  function beginTranscriptLayout(forceBottom = false): void {
+    if (!scrollWorkActive || disposed) return;
+    if (pendingScroll) {
+      if (forceBottom) pendingScroll.follow = true;
+      return;
+    }
+    pendingScroll = {
+      top: scrollEl.scrollTop,
+      follow: forceBottom || followingBottom,
+    };
+  }
+
+  function finishTranscriptLayout(): void {
+    if (!scrollWorkActive || disposed || !pendingScroll || scrollFrame !== null) return;
+    scrollFrame = window.requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+      scrollFrame = null;
+      const pending = pendingScroll;
+      pendingScroll = null;
+      if (!pending || disposed || !scrollWorkActive) return;
+      scrollEl.scrollTop = pending.follow
+        ? Math.max(0, scrollEl.scrollHeight - scrollEl.clientHeight)
+        : pending.top;
+    });
+  }
+
+  function updateTranscriptLayout(update: () => void, forceBottom = false): void {
+    beginTranscriptLayout(forceBottom);
+    update();
+    finishTranscriptLayout();
+  }
+
+  function onTranscriptScroll(): void {
+    const distance = scrollEl.scrollHeight - scrollEl.clientHeight - scrollEl.scrollTop;
+    followingBottom = distance <= FOLLOW_BOTTOM_THRESHOLD_PX;
+    cancelScrollFrame();
+  }
+
+  function onTranscriptClick(event: Event): void {
+    if ((event.target as Element | null)?.closest(".st-tool-head")) beginTranscriptLayout();
+  }
+
+  scrollEl.addEventListener("scroll", onTranscriptScroll);
+  scrollEl.addEventListener("click", onTranscriptClick, true);
+
   function lastRowIdOfKind(kind: TranscriptRowKind): string | null {
     for (let i = rows.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) if (rows[i].kind === kind) return rows[i].id;
     return null;
@@ -151,59 +212,106 @@ export function createStructuredConnection(
     }
   }
 
-  function mountRow(row: TranscriptRow): void {
-    const el = buildTranscriptRow(row, approvalStateFor(row));
+  function buildRowElement(row: TranscriptRow): HTMLElement | null {
+    const el = buildTranscriptRow(
+      row,
+      approvalStateFor(row),
+      expandedRowIds.has(row.id),
+      (expanded) => {
+        if (expanded) expandedRowIds.add(row.id);
+        else expandedRowIds.delete(row.id);
+        finishTranscriptLayout();
+      },
+    );
+    if (!el) return null;
+    if (el.querySelector(".st-tool-head")?.getAttribute("aria-expanded") !== "true") {
+      expandedRowIds.delete(row.id);
+    }
+    return el;
+  }
+
+  function insertRowElement(row: TranscriptRow, el: HTMLElement): void {
+    const index = rowIndex.get(row.id) ?? rows.length - 1;
+    let next: HTMLElement | null = null;
+    for (let i = index + 1; i < rows.length; i++) {
+      next = rowEls.get(rows[i].id) ?? null;
+      if (next) break;
+    }
     rowEls.set(row.id, el);
-    rowsEl.appendChild(el);
+    rowsEl.insertBefore(el, next);
+  }
+
+  function mountRow(row: TranscriptRow): void {
+    const el = buildRowElement(row);
+    if (el) insertRowElement(row, el);
   }
 
   function remountRow(row: TranscriptRow): void {
     const old = rowEls.get(row.id);
     const oldToolHead = old?.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>(".st-tool-head") ?? null;
-    const wasExpanded = oldToolHead?.getAttribute("aria-expanded") === "true";
     const restoreFocus = document.activeElement === oldToolHead;
-    const el = buildTranscriptRow(row, approvalStateFor(row), wasExpanded);
-    rowEls.set(row.id, el);
-    if (old) old.replaceWith(el);
-    else rowsEl.appendChild(el);
+    const el = buildRowElement(row);
+    if (!el) {
+      old?.remove();
+      rowEls.delete(row.id);
+      expandedRowIds.delete(row.id);
+      return;
+    }
+    if (old) {
+      rowEls.set(row.id, el);
+      old.replaceWith(el);
+    } else {
+      insertRowElement(row, el);
+    }
     const newToolHead = el.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>(".st-tool-head");
     if (restoreFocus) newToolHead?.focus();
   }
 
   function applySnapshot(snapshot: { rows: TranscriptRow[] }): void {
-    rows = [...snapshot.rows];
-    rowIndex.clear();
-    rows.forEach((row, i) => rowIndex.set(row.id, i));
-    rowEls.clear();
-    rowsEl.replaceChildren();
-    for (const row of rows) mountRow(row);
+    const forceBottom = !receivedSnapshot;
+    updateTranscriptLayout(() => {
+      rows = [...snapshot.rows];
+      const expandableIds = new Set(
+        rows.filter((row) => row.kind === "tool_call" || row.kind === "tool_diff").map((row) => row.id),
+      );
+      for (const id of expandedRowIds) if (!expandableIds.has(id)) expandedRowIds.delete(id);
+      rowIndex.clear();
+      rows.forEach((row, i) => rowIndex.set(row.id, i));
+      rowEls.clear();
+      rowsEl.replaceChildren();
+      for (const row of rows) mountRow(row);
+    }, forceBottom);
+    receivedSnapshot = true;
   }
 
   function applyDelta(delta: TranscriptDelta | null | undefined): void {
     if (!delta) return;
-    if (delta.type === "append") {
-      rowIndex.set(delta.row.id, rows.length);
-      rows.push(delta.row);
-      mountRow(delta.row);
-    } else if (delta.type === "patch") {
-      const i = rowIndex.get(delta.row.id);
-      if (i === undefined) {
+    updateTranscriptLayout(() => {
+      if (delta.type === "append") {
         rowIndex.set(delta.row.id, rows.length);
         rows.push(delta.row);
         mountRow(delta.row);
+      } else if (delta.type === "patch") {
+        const i = rowIndex.get(delta.row.id);
+        if (i === undefined) {
+          rowIndex.set(delta.row.id, rows.length);
+          rows.push(delta.row);
+          mountRow(delta.row);
+        } else {
+          rows[i] = delta.row;
+          remountRow(delta.row);
+        }
       } else {
-        rows[i] = delta.row;
-        remountRow(delta.row);
+        const i = rowIndex.get(delta.id);
+        if (i === undefined) return;
+        rows.splice(i, 1);
+        expandedRowIds.delete(delta.id);
+        rowIndex.clear();
+        rows.forEach((row, idx) => rowIndex.set(row.id, idx));
+        rowEls.get(delta.id)?.remove();
+        rowEls.delete(delta.id);
       }
-    } else {
-      const i = rowIndex.get(delta.id);
-      if (i === undefined) return;
-      rows.splice(i, 1);
-      rowIndex.clear();
-      rows.forEach((row, idx) => rowIndex.set(row.id, idx));
-      rowEls.get(delta.id)?.remove();
-      rowEls.delete(delta.id);
-    }
+    });
   }
 
   function toolRowCount(): number {
@@ -252,10 +360,12 @@ export function createStructuredConnection(
     reconcileAwaitingBegin();
     const newPendingId = state.pending_approval ? lastRowIdOfKind("approval") : null;
     if (newPendingId !== pendingApprovalRowId) {
-      const prev = pendingApprovalRowId;
-      pendingApprovalRowId = newPendingId;
-      if (prev !== null && rowIndex.has(prev)) remountRow(rows[rowIndex.get(prev)!]);
-      if (newPendingId !== null) remountRow(rows[rowIndex.get(newPendingId)!]);
+      updateTranscriptLayout(() => {
+        const prev = pendingApprovalRowId;
+        pendingApprovalRowId = newPendingId;
+        if (prev !== null && rowIndex.has(prev)) remountRow(rows[rowIndex.get(prev)!]);
+        if (newPendingId !== null) remountRow(rows[rowIndex.get(newPendingId)!]);
+      });
     }
     renderPills();
     renderRailNow();
@@ -279,8 +389,10 @@ export function createStructuredConnection(
 
   // ---- composer ----
   function autoResize(): void {
-    input.style.height = "auto";
-    input.style.height = `${Math.min(input.scrollHeight, 160)}px`;
+    updateTranscriptLayout(() => {
+      input.style.height = "auto";
+      input.style.height = `${Math.min(input.scrollHeight, 160)}px`;
+    });
   }
   input.addEventListener("input", autoResize);
   input.addEventListener("keydown", (e) => {
@@ -336,8 +448,11 @@ export function createStructuredConnection(
   // ---- narrow-pane rail collapse (a split pane, not just the viewport) ----
   const NARROW_BREAKPOINT = 560;
   const resizeObserver = new ResizeObserver((entries) => {
+    if (disposed) return;
     const width = entries[0]?.contentRect.width ?? bodyEl.clientWidth;
-    bodyEl.classList.toggle("st-narrow", width < NARROW_BREAKPOINT);
+    const narrow = width < NARROW_BREAKPOINT;
+    if (bodyEl.classList.contains("st-narrow") === narrow) return;
+    updateTranscriptLayout(() => bodyEl.classList.toggle("st-narrow", narrow));
   });
   resizeObserver.observe(bodyEl);
 
@@ -452,6 +567,12 @@ export function createStructuredConnection(
   // `mountToken` is bumped on every mount/unmount so a stale frame can tell
   // it is no longer the most recent one.
   let mountToken = 0;
+  let focusFrame: number | null = null;
+
+  function cancelFocusFrame(): void {
+    if (focusFrame !== null) window.cancelAnimationFrame(focusFrame);
+    focusFrame = null;
+  }
 
   return {
     sessionId,
@@ -459,13 +580,26 @@ export function createStructuredConnection(
     onMount(mountOpts?: { focus?: boolean }) {
       const focusOnMount = mountOpts?.focus !== false;
       const token = ++mountToken;
-      requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+      scrollWorkActive = true;
+      pendingScroll = {
+        top: parkedScrollTop ?? scrollEl.scrollTop,
+        follow: followingBottom,
+      };
+      parkedScrollTop = null;
+      finishTranscriptLayout();
+      cancelFocusFrame();
+      focusFrame = window.requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+        focusFrame = null;
         if (disposed || token !== mountToken) return; // parked/remounted since this was scheduled
         if (focusOnMount && !input.disabled) input.focus();
       });
     },
     onUnmount() {
       mountToken++;
+      parkedScrollTop = pendingScroll?.top ?? scrollEl.scrollTop;
+      scrollWorkActive = false;
+      cancelScrollFrame();
+      cancelFocusFrame();
     },
     focusTerminal() {
       if (!input.disabled) input.focus();
@@ -478,10 +612,16 @@ export function createStructuredConnection(
       if (disposed) return;
       disposed = true;
       mountToken++;
+      scrollWorkActive = false;
+      cancelScrollFrame();
+      cancelFocusFrame();
       cancelReconnect();
       resizeObserver.disconnect();
       unsubscribeStore?.();
       closeCurrentSocket();
+      expandedRowIds.clear();
+      scrollEl.removeEventListener("scroll", onTranscriptScroll);
+      scrollEl.removeEventListener("click", onTranscriptClick, true);
       el.remove();
     },
   };

web/src/structuredRender.test.ts

@@ -9,7 +9,11 @@ import {
 } from "./structuredRender.js";
 import type { Session, TranscriptRow } from "./types.js";
 
-function row(kind: TranscriptRow["kind"], data: unknown, id = "r1"): TranscriptRow {
+function row<K extends TranscriptRow["kind"]>(
+  kind: K,
+  data: unknown,
+  id = "r1",
+): TranscriptRow & { kind: K } {
   return { id, kind, data };
 }
 
@@ -275,9 +279,16 @@ describe("buildTranscriptRow: approval", () => {
 });
 
 describe("buildTranscriptRow: notice / unknown kinds", () => {
-  it("renders a plan or notice row without crashing", () => {
-    expect(() => buildTranscriptRow(row("notice", { sessionUpdate: "future" }))).not.toThrow();
-    expect(() => buildTranscriptRow(row("plan", { entries: [] }))).not.toThrow();
+  it("renders notice and unknown row kinds safely", () => {
+    expect(buildTranscriptRow(row("notice", { sessionUpdate: "future" }))?.textContent).toBe(
+      "[notice]",
+    );
+    const unknown = { id: "r1", kind: "future_kind", data: {} } as unknown as TranscriptRow;
+    expect(buildTranscriptRow(unknown)?.textContent).toBe("[future_kind]");
+  });
+
+  it("returns no transcript element for a plan row", () => {
+    expect(buildTranscriptRow(row("plan", { entries: [] }))).toBeNull();
   });
 });
 

web/src/structuredRender.ts

@@ -187,7 +187,11 @@ function statusMeta(status: string | undefined, hasDiff: boolean): { text: strin
   return null;
 }
 
-function buildToolRow(row: TranscriptRow, expanded: boolean): HTMLElement {
+function buildToolRow(
+  row: TranscriptRow,
+  expanded: boolean,
+  onExpandedChange?: (expanded: boolean) => void,
+): HTMLElement {
   const tool = (row.data ?? {}) as AcpToolCallLike;
   const content = tool.content ?? [];
   const hasDiff = content.some((c) => c.type === "diff");
@@ -259,6 +263,7 @@ function buildToolRow(row: TranscriptRow, expanded: boolean): HTMLElement {
   };
   head.addEventListener("click", () => {
     setExpanded(head.getAttribute("aria-expanded") !== "true");
+    onExpandedChange?.(head.getAttribute("aria-expanded") === "true");
   });
   setExpanded(expanded);
 
@@ -362,13 +367,33 @@ function buildApprovalRow(row: TranscriptRow, approval: ApprovalRowState): HTMLE
   return wrap;
 }
 
-/** Build the DOM for one transcript row. `approval` is consulted only for an
- *  `approval` row; pass it whenever the row might be that kind. */
+/** Build the DOM for one transcript row, or `null` for a plan shown only in
+ *  the rail. `approval` is consulted only for an `approval` row; tool
+ *  expansion is supplied and reported explicitly. */
+export function buildTranscriptRow(
+  row: TranscriptRow & { kind: "plan" },
+  approval?: ApprovalRowState,
+  toolExpanded?: boolean,
+  onToolExpandedChange?: (expanded: boolean) => void,
+): null;
+export function buildTranscriptRow(
+  row: TranscriptRow & { kind: Exclude<TranscriptRow["kind"], "plan"> },
+  approval?: ApprovalRowState,
+  toolExpanded?: boolean,
+  onToolExpandedChange?: (expanded: boolean) => void,
+): HTMLElement;
+export function buildTranscriptRow(
+  row: TranscriptRow,
+  approval?: ApprovalRowState,
+  toolExpanded?: boolean,
+  onToolExpandedChange?: (expanded: boolean) => void,
+): HTMLElement | null;
 export function buildTranscriptRow(
   row: TranscriptRow,
   approval?: ApprovalRowState,
   toolExpanded = false,
-): HTMLElement {
+  onToolExpandedChange?: (expanded: boolean) => void,
+): HTMLElement | null {
   let built: HTMLElement;
   switch (row.kind) {
     case "user":
@@ -382,11 +407,13 @@ export function buildTranscriptRow(
       break;
     case "tool_call":
     case "tool_diff":
-      built = buildToolRow(row, toolExpanded);
+      built = buildToolRow(row, toolExpanded, onToolExpandedChange);
       break;
     case "approval":
       built = buildApprovalRow(row, approval ?? { pending: false, onDecide: () => Promise.resolve() });
       break;
+    case "plan":
+      return null;
     default:
       built = buildPlainRow(row);
       break;

web/src/types.ts

@@ -276,6 +276,7 @@ export interface CreateSessionRequest {
   env?: Record<string, string>;
   metadata?: Record<string, unknown>;
   worktree?: WorktreeSpec;
+  view?: SessionView;
 }
 
 export type CatalogEvent =