Release v0.0.1

Bundles the in-flight work into the first tagged release. See
CHANGELOG.md `[0.0.1] - 2026-05-14` for the full per-change list.
Highlights:

- Sidebar / chrome stability: clamp absolute cursor positioning and
  printable bytes to the viewport so long-running TUIs (claude, codex)
  can't spray into the right rail; bound tab bar's row clear to the
  viewport width so the rail isn't wiped on every tab redraw; flag
  scroll escapes (RI/IND/NEL/SU/SD/IL/DL) and clamp `CSI 0/1/2 J`/`K`
  to viewport columns.
- Palette: "Spawn process…" form, macros (`sw `, `k `, `sp `), kill
  entries mark the focused tab, dead agents drop out of the switch
  list.
- Sidebar: split into Processes (session-wide) + Agent Tree
  (per-active-agent) sections; relaunch indicator; Ctrl+W/S walks the
  combined list, Ctrl+A/D steps tabs.
- MCP: protocol handshake (`initialize`, `tools/list`, `tools/call`,
  `ping`), `mcp_injection.kind = cli_override / config_env` so codex
  and opencode pick up the server with no file writes, `lifecycle`
  help topic and tool-description cleanup-duty pointers.
- Lifecycle: orchestrator-spawned children cascade-killed when the
  parent dies; orchestrator-injected prompts end with CR + delayed
  Enter so claude submits cleanly.

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -6,7 +6,23 @@ loosely follows [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.0.1] - 2026-05-14
+
 ### Fixed
+- Tab bar redraw used `\x1b[2K` to clear rows 1 and 2 before painting
+  labels, which wiped the sidebar columns on those rows too. When the
+  sidebar cache was still warm the rail never repainted, leaving a
+  gap where the sidebar's top border and "Processes" header should be.
+  The clear is now bounded to the viewport width.
+- Long-running TUIs (claude / codex) whose internal column state
+  drifted past the patterm viewport could spray text into the sidebar
+  columns — overwriting the session-tree and scratchpad rail until the
+  user opened/closed the palette to force a full repaint. The viewport
+  renderer now clamps absolute cursor positioning (CUP / HVP / CHA /
+  HPA) to the viewport's right edge and drops printable bytes (ASCII
+  and full UTF-8 glyphs) that would otherwise land past it. Covered by
+  a unit suite and a new `sidebar_survives_wide_writes` harness
+  scenario.
 - Sub-agent panes spawned while another diff-based TUI (claude/codex/
   opencode) held focus could come up corrupted because the new child's
   first incremental updates targeted cells the host viewport hadn't
@@ -15,7 +31,31 @@ loosely follows [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
   styled emulator grid — the same path that fixed the symptom when the
   user manually cycled focus with Ctrl+W / Ctrl+S.
 
+### Changed
+- Command palette `Kill …` entries now mark the focused tab with the
+  same "• … (current)" marker the `Switch to …` entries use, so the
+  user can tell at a glance which tab a kill action targets.
+- Status line now advertises the navigation chords (`Ctrl-A/D · tabs`,
+  `Ctrl-W/S · tree`) alongside `Ctrl-K · palette`. Hints decay
+  shortest-first when the terminal is too narrow to fit all three.
+
 ### Added
+- "Spawn process…" entry in the command palette opens a two-field form
+  for typing an arbitrary command line and ticking "Relaunch on exit".
+  The command runs through `sh -lc` so multi-word lines like
+  `bun run dev` resolve binaries the way an interactive shell would.
+  When the relaunch flag is set, patterm Starts the process again after
+  it exits (1s backoff). Killing the process from the palette clears
+  the flag so it does not come back.
+- Dedicated "Processes" section in the sidebar above the agent tree,
+  listing every top-level command/terminal process. It is global to
+  the patterm session — switching between agent tabs no longer changes
+  which processes are visible. The relaunch-on-exit indicator (`⟳`)
+  shows next to processes the user opted into auto-restart for.
+- Ctrl+W / Ctrl+S now traverse the combined Processes section and the
+  active agent tree as one flat list, so the user can step out of the
+  agent tree into the Processes pane and back without leaving the
+  keyboard.
 - New `lifecycle` help topic spelling out that the caller owns the
   processes it spawns and should call `close_process` when a sub-agent
   or spawned process is no longer needed. The `spawn_agent` and
@@ -55,6 +95,14 @@ loosely follows [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
   available macros.
 
 ### Changed
+- The sidebar's session-tree section is now labeled "Agent Tree" and
+  shows only agent sessions (and any sub-agents they spawn). Top-level
+  command and terminal processes live in the new "Processes" section
+  above it.
+- Tab bar tabs now correspond to agent sessions only. Command/terminal
+  processes that previously claimed a top-level tab now appear in the
+  Processes sidebar section, so the tab strip is reserved for agent
+  context.
 - Focus, lifecycle, and repaint paths now capture terminal layout before
   taking UI state locks, reducing resize-time deadlock risk without
   changing visible behavior.

TODO.md

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-- [ ] There's a unicode <?> being displayed in opencode
+- [ ] There's a unicode <?> being displayed in opencode [ON HOLD]
   - Investigated 2026-05-14: patterm passes ghostty grapheme codepoints
     through unchanged (vt/ghostty.go:452-462), so the `<?>` glyph is
     most likely the *host* terminal's font fallback for opencode's

internal/app/app.go

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 	"sync/atomic"
 	"syscall"
+	"time"
 
 	cpty "github.com/creack/pty"
 	"golang.org/x/term"
@@ -213,6 +214,11 @@ type uiState struct {
 	palette     *paletteState
 	focusedID   string
 	focusedName string
+	// activeAgentID tracks which top-level agent tab "owns" the agent
+	// tree section of the sidebar. It only updates when focus lands on
+	// an agent (or one of its sub-agents), so the agent tree stays
+	// visible even when the user steps into the Processes pane.
+	activeAgentID string
 	// renderer confines focused-child live output to the main viewport.
 	// A fresh renderer is allocated per focused child so partial-escape
 	// state cannot bleed between panes.
@@ -283,6 +289,7 @@ func (st *uiState) focusProcess(processID string) {
 	st.mu.Lock()
 	st.focusedID = c.ID
 	st.focusedName = c.DisplayName()
+	st.updateActiveAgentLocked(c)
 	st.renderer = newViewportRenderer(layout)
 	st.mu.Unlock()
 	st.repaintFocused()
@@ -291,6 +298,33 @@ func (st *uiState) focusProcess(processID string) {
 	st.drawStatusLine()
 }
 
+// updateActiveAgentLocked records the active agent root for the agent
+// tree section whenever focus lands on an agent or one of its
+// sub-agents. Focusing a top-level command process leaves the previous
+// active agent intact, so the user can hop between the Processes pane
+// and the agent tree without losing context. Caller holds st.mu.
+func (st *uiState) updateActiveAgentLocked(c *Child) {
+	if c.Kind != KindAgent {
+		return
+	}
+	if c.ParentID == "" {
+		st.activeAgentID = c.ID
+		return
+	}
+	// Walk up to the top-level agent.
+	root := c
+	for root.ParentID != "" {
+		parent := st.sess.FindChild(root.ParentID)
+		if parent == nil {
+			break
+		}
+		root = parent
+	}
+	if root.Kind == KindAgent && root.ParentID == "" {
+		st.activeAgentID = root.ID
+	}
+}
+
 // notifyAttention is the request_human_attention sink (SPEC §7). We
 // surface a one-line toast in the status row and remember the most
 // recent ask so the status line keeps showing it. The sidebar-blink is
@@ -321,6 +355,7 @@ func (st *uiState) OnChildSpawned(c *Child) {
 	st.mu.Lock()
 	st.focusedID = c.ID
 	st.focusedName = c.DisplayName()
+	st.updateActiveAgentLocked(c)
 	renderer := newViewportRenderer(layout)
 	st.renderer = renderer
 	palOpen := st.palette != nil
@@ -377,9 +412,15 @@ func (st *uiState) OnChildExited(c *Child) {
 		} else {
 			st.focusedID = next.ID
 			st.focusedName = next.DisplayName()
+			st.updateActiveAgentLocked(next)
 			st.renderer = newViewportRenderer(layout)
 		}
 	}
+	if c.ID == st.activeAgentID {
+		// The active agent died; pin the agent tree to whatever agent
+		// root is still running, or clear it if none remain.
+		st.activeAgentID = firstRunningAgentID(st.sess.Children())
+	}
 	if st.palette != nil {
 		st.palette.children = st.sess.Children()
 		st.palette.focused = st.focusedID
@@ -397,6 +438,41 @@ func (st *uiState) OnChildExited(c *Child) {
 	st.drawTabBar()
 	st.drawSidebar()
 	st.drawStatusLine()
+
+	// Auto-restart kicks in for command entries the user marked "relaunch
+	// on exit". A short backoff (1s) avoids hot-spinning on processes
+	// that fail immediately. The user can clear the flag by killing the
+	// process from the palette.
+	if c.Kind == KindCommand && c.AutoRestart() {
+		go st.scheduleAutoRestart(c)
+	}
+}
+
+// scheduleAutoRestart re-Starts a command entry after a brief backoff.
+// Bails out if the user cleared the flag, closed the process, or the
+// entry came back to life through some other path while we were
+// waiting. Called as a goroutine from OnChildExited.
+func (st *uiState) scheduleAutoRestart(c *Child) {
+	time.Sleep(1 * time.Second)
+	if !c.AutoRestart() {
+		return
+	}
+	if st.sess.FindChild(c.ID) == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if c.IsLive() {
+		return
+	}
+	l := st.layoutSnapshot()
+	if err := st.sess.Start(c.ID, l.childCols(), l.childRows()); err != nil {
+		st.dbgf("auto-restart %s: %v", c.ID, err)
+		return
+	}
+	// Start doesn't fire emitSpawn, so we have to nudge the chrome
+	// ourselves — the status flipped from exited back to running and
+	// the sidebar's cached frame still shows the exited glyph.
+	st.drawSidebar()
+	st.drawStatusLine()
 }
 
 // OnPTYOut writes live output for the focused child when the palette is
@@ -563,7 +639,18 @@ func (st *uiState) drawStatusLine() {
 	if trustMsg != "" {
 		left = "[trust] " + trustMsg
 	}
-	right := "Ctrl-K · palette"
+	// Hints decay shortest-first when the host is narrow so the focused
+	// child name + ownership note on the left side never get clipped.
+	hints := []string{
+		"Ctrl-A/D · tabs",
+		"Ctrl-W/S · tree",
+		"Ctrl-K · palette",
+	}
+	right := strings.Join(hints, "  ·  ")
+	for len(hints) > 1 && int(cols)-len(left)-len(right) < 1 {
+		hints = hints[1:]
+		right = strings.Join(hints, "  ·  ")
+	}
 
 	pad := int(cols) - len(left) - len(right)
 	if pad < 1 {
@@ -831,13 +918,13 @@ func (st *uiState) processStdin(chunk []byte) {
 		}
 		if hit, adv := matchCtrlChar(chunk, i, 'w'); hit {
 			flushForward()
-			pendingNavID = nextChildID(st.sess.Children(), st.focusedID, -1)
+			pendingNavID = nextChildID(st.sess.Children(), st.focusedID, st.activeAgentID, -1)
 			i += adv
 			break
 		}
 		if hit, adv := matchCtrlChar(chunk, i, 's'); hit {
 			flushForward()
-			pendingNavID = nextChildID(st.sess.Children(), st.focusedID, +1)
+			pendingNavID = nextChildID(st.sess.Children(), st.focusedID, st.activeAgentID, +1)
 			i += adv
 			break
 		}
@@ -916,6 +1003,36 @@ func (st *uiState) closePalette(action paletteAction) {
 			st.flashError(fmt.Sprintf("spawn %s: %v", action.preset.Name, err))
 		}
 
+	case "spawn-process-submit":
+		if action.command == "" {
+			st.repaintFocused()
+			return
+		}
+		l := st.layoutSnapshot()
+		st.launcher.SetSize(l.childCols(), l.childRows())
+		display := action.command
+		if len(display) > 32 {
+			display = display[:31] + "…"
+		}
+		// shell=true so multi-word commands like "bun run dev" pass
+		// through `sh -lc` and the user's PATH resolves binaries the
+		// way they expect from an interactive shell.
+		c, err := st.launcher.LaunchCommandArgv([]string{action.command}, display, "", "", nil, true)
+		if err != nil {
+			st.flashError(fmt.Sprintf("spawn: %v", err))
+			return
+		}
+		c.SetAutoRestart(action.relaunch)
+		// LaunchCommandArgv fires OnChildSpawned synchronously, which
+		// drew the sidebar before AutoRestart was set. Invalidate so the
+		// ⟳ marker shows up on the next paint.
+		if action.relaunch {
+			st.chromeCacheMu.Lock()
+			st.sidebarCache = ""
+			st.chromeCacheMu.Unlock()
+			st.drawSidebar()
+		}
+
 	case "switch":
 		c := st.sess.FindChild(action.childID)
 		if c == nil || c.Status() != StatusRunning {
@@ -926,6 +1043,7 @@ func (st *uiState) closePalette(action paletteAction) {
 		st.mu.Lock()
 		st.focusedID = action.childID
 		st.focusedName = c.DisplayName()
+		st.updateActiveAgentLocked(c)
 		st.renderer = newViewportRenderer(layout)
 		st.mu.Unlock()
 		st.repaintFocused()
@@ -934,6 +1052,11 @@ func (st *uiState) closePalette(action paletteAction) {
 		st.drawStatusLine()
 
 	case "kill":
+		// User-initiated kill cancels any pending auto-restart so the
+		// process doesn't immediately come back.
+		if c := st.sess.FindChild(action.childID); c != nil {
+			c.SetAutoRestart(false)
+		}
 		_ = st.sess.Kill(action.childID, syscall.SIGTERM)
 		st.repaintFocused()
 		st.drawTabBar()

internal/app/child.go

@@ -121,8 +121,17 @@ type Child struct {
 	cleanupMu    sync.Mutex
 	cleanupPaths []string
 	restarting   atomic.Bool
+
+	// autoRestart is set when the user spawned this command process with
+	// "relaunch on exit". The session listener consults it after the PTY
+	// exits and calls Start to bring the entry back up. Cleared when the
+	// user explicitly kills the process from the palette.
+	autoRestart atomic.Bool
 }
 
+func (c *Child) SetAutoRestart(v bool) { c.autoRestart.Store(v) }
+func (c *Child) AutoRestart() bool     { return c.autoRestart.Load() }
+
 // PortSighting is one entry returned by get_process_ports.
 type PortSighting struct {
 	Port        int    `json:"port"`

internal/app/cursorshift.go

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import (
 type cursorShifter struct {
 	rowOffset int
 	childRows int // viewport height in child rows; used for DECSTBM resets
+	childCols int // viewport width in child cols; used to clamp CUP/HVP/CHA/HPA columns
 
 	state     shifterState
 	buf       []byte // bytes accumulated in current escape sequence (incl. introducer)
@@ -45,13 +46,25 @@ const (
 	stSOSPMAPCEsc
 )
 
-func newCursorShifter(rowOffset, childRows int) *cursorShifter {
+func newCursorShifter(rowOffset, childRows, childCols int) *cursorShifter {
-	return &cursorShifter{rowOffset: rowOffset, childRows: childRows}
+	return &cursorShifter{rowOffset: rowOffset, childRows: childRows, childCols: childCols}
 }
 
-func (cs *cursorShifter) SetGeometry(rowOffset, childRows int) {
+func (cs *cursorShifter) SetGeometry(rowOffset, childRows, childCols int) {
 	cs.rowOffset = rowOffset
 	cs.childRows = childRows
+	cs.childCols = childCols
+}
+
+// clampCol returns col clamped to the viewport's rightmost column, so a
+// child that drifted into believing it has more horizontal space than
+// patterm assigned it can't reach into the sidebar. childCols == 0 (an
+// uninitialised shifter, only seen in tests) disables clamping.
+func (cs *cursorShifter) clampCol(col int) int {
+	if cs.childCols > 0 && col > cs.childCols {
+		return cs.childCols
+	}
+	return col
 }
 
 // Shift consumes a chunk of PTY-master bytes, applies row offsets to
@@ -194,11 +207,24 @@ func (cs *cursorShifter) emitCSI() {
 			return
 		}
 		r += cs.rowOffset
+		c = cs.clampCol(c)
 		cs.pending.WriteString("\x1b[")
 		cs.pending.WriteString(strconv.Itoa(r))
 		cs.pending.WriteByte(';')
 		cs.pending.WriteString(strconv.Itoa(c))
 		cs.pending.WriteByte(final)
+	case 'G', '`':
+		// CHA / HPA: absolute column. Clamp to the viewport so a stale
+		// child width can't reach into the sidebar.
+		c, ok := parseOneParam(paramsRaw, 1)
+		if !ok {
+			cs.pending.Write(cs.buf)
+			return
+		}
+		c = cs.clampCol(c)
+		cs.pending.WriteString("\x1b[")
+		cs.pending.WriteString(strconv.Itoa(c))
+		cs.pending.WriteByte(final)
 	case 'd':
 		// VPA: row.
 		r, ok := parseOneParam(paramsRaw, 1)

internal/app/cursorshift_test.go

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestCursorShifterCUP(t *testing.T) {
-	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36)
+	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36, 80)
 	got := cs.Shift([]byte("\x1b[H"))
 	want := []byte("\x1b[2;1H")
 	if !bytes.Equal(got, want) {
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ func TestCursorShifterCUP(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCursorShifterCUPRowCol(t *testing.T) {
-	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36)
+	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36, 80)
 	got := cs.Shift([]byte("\x1b[10;5H"))
 	if string(got) != "\x1b[11;5H" {
 		t.Fatalf("CUP 10;5: got %q", got)
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ func TestCursorShifterCUPRowCol(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCursorShifterVPA(t *testing.T) {
-	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36)
+	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36, 80)
 	got := cs.Shift([]byte("\x1b[7d"))
 	if string(got) != "\x1b[8d" {
 		t.Fatalf("VPA 7: got %q", got)
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ func TestCursorShifterVPA(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCursorShifterDECSTBM(t *testing.T) {
-	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36)
+	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36, 80)
 	got := cs.Shift([]byte("\x1b[2;20r"))
 	if string(got) != "\x1b[3;21r" {
 		t.Fatalf("DECSTBM: got %q", got)
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ func TestCursorShifterDECSTBM(t *testing.T) {
 // region — that's what was scrolling claude's content up after a
 // focus switch from codex.
 func TestCursorShifterDECSTBMEmptyResetsToViewport(t *testing.T) {
-	cs := newCursorShifter(3, 36) // mainTop=4, childRows=36
+	cs := newCursorShifter(3, 36, 80) // mainTop=4, childRows=36
 	got := cs.Shift([]byte("\x1b[r"))
 	if string(got) != "\x1b[4;39r" {
 		t.Fatalf("empty DECSTBM reset: got %q want \\x1b[4;39r", got)
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ func TestCursorShifterDECSTBMEmptyResetsToViewport(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCursorShifterPrivateCSIPassthrough(t *testing.T) {
-	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36)
+	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36, 80)
 	// Alt-screen toggle — private CSI.
 	got := cs.Shift([]byte("\x1b[?1049h"))
 	if string(got) != "\x1b[?1049h" {
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ func TestCursorShifterPrivateCSIPassthrough(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCursorShifterSGRPassthrough(t *testing.T) {
-	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36)
+	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36, 80)
 	got := cs.Shift([]byte("\x1b[1;31mhello\x1b[0m"))
 	if string(got) != "\x1b[1;31mhello\x1b[0m" {
 		t.Fatalf("SGR: got %q", got)
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ func TestCursorShifterSGRPassthrough(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCursorShifterStraddleChunks(t *testing.T) {
-	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36)
+	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36, 80)
 	a := cs.Shift([]byte("\x1b["))
 	b := cs.Shift([]byte("5;3H"))
 	got := string(a) + string(b)
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ func TestCursorShifterStraddleChunks(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCursorShifterOSCNotRewritten(t *testing.T) {
-	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36)
+	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36, 80)
 	// OSC body containing what looks like a CSI cursor move — should
 	// NOT be rewritten.
 	in := []byte("\x1b]0;\x1b[5;3Htitle\x07")
@@ -87,3 +87,27 @@ func TestCursorShifterOSCNotRewritten(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("OSC: got %q want %q", got, in)
 	}
 }
+
+func TestCursorShifterClampsCUPColumn(t *testing.T) {
+	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36, 80)
+	got := cs.Shift([]byte("\x1b[5;120H"))
+	if string(got) != "\x1b[6;80H" {
+		t.Fatalf("CUP col 120 should clamp to childCols=80: got %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCursorShifterClampsCHAColumn(t *testing.T) {
+	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36, 80)
+	got := cs.Shift([]byte("\x1b[120G"))
+	if string(got) != "\x1b[80G" {
+		t.Fatalf("CHA col 120 should clamp to childCols=80: got %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCursorShifterCUPNoClampWhenChildColsZero(t *testing.T) {
+	cs := newCursorShifter(1, 36, 0)
+	got := cs.Shift([]byte("\x1b[5;120H"))
+	if string(got) != "\x1b[6;120H" {
+		t.Fatalf("childCols=0 should disable col clamping: got %q", got)
+	}
+}

internal/app/palette.go

@@ -10,14 +10,20 @@ import (
 
 // paletteAction is what the palette returns when the user picks an item.
 type paletteAction struct {
-	// kind: "spawn-agent" | "spawn-process" | "switch" | "kill" | "quit" | "cancel"
+	// kind: "spawn-agent" | "spawn-process" | "spawn-process-form" |
+	//       "spawn-process-submit" | "switch" | "kill" | "quit" | "cancel"
 	kind string
 
-	// For spawn-*, the preset to launch.
+	// For spawn-agent / spawn-process, the preset to launch.
 	preset *preset.Preset
 
 	// For "switch" and "kill", the target child id.
 	childID string
+
+	// For "spawn-process-submit": the freeform command line the user
+	// typed and the relaunch-on-exit flag they ticked.
+	command  string
+	relaunch bool
 }
 
 type paletteItem struct {
@@ -26,6 +32,26 @@ type paletteItem struct {
 	action paletteAction
 }
 
+// paletteMode toggles the palette between its fuzzy-picker UI and the
+// freeform "spawn process" form. The form lives inside the palette so
+// it shares the same modal-input contract (every byte intercepted; no
+// PTY forwarding) without needing a second overlay.
+type paletteMode int
+
+const (
+	paletteModePicker paletteMode = iota
+	paletteModeSpawnForm
+)
+
+// spawnProcessForm is the state for the "Spawn process…" two-field
+// form: a command line plus a "relaunch on exit" toggle. Tab cycles
+// focus; space toggles the checkbox when it owns focus; Enter submits.
+type spawnProcessForm struct {
+	cmd      []rune
+	relaunch bool
+	field    int // 0 = command, 1 = relaunch checkbox
+}
+
 // paletteState is the in-memory model for the overlay. SPEC §4: a
 // single fuzzy-searchable list of commands scoped to the current focus.
 type paletteState struct {
@@ -36,6 +62,9 @@ type paletteState struct {
 	presets  preset.Set
 
 	items []paletteItem
+
+	mode paletteMode
+	form *spawnProcessForm
 }
 
 // macroPrefixes maps the palette macro prefix (without trailing space)
@@ -147,13 +176,31 @@ func (p *paletteState) allItems() []paletteItem {
 		})
 	}
 
-	// Kill entries last among the action rows, before Quit.
+	// Freeform "Spawn process…" entry. Opens a sub-form for typing an
+	// arbitrary command line and ticking "relaunch on exit". The action
+	// kind is intercepted by acceptOrEnterForm so accept switches the
+	// palette into form mode instead of closing it. Placed after the
+	// preset entries so quick-spawn flows keep the same ordering as
+	// before this feature landed.
+	out = append(out, paletteItem{
+		label:  "Spawn process…",
+		hint:   "freeform command · optional relaunch on exit",
+		action: paletteAction{kind: "spawn-process-form"},
+	})
+
+	// Kill entries last among the action rows, before Quit. Mirror the
+	// "(current)" marker from switch entries so the focused tab is
+	// obvious when scanning the kill list.
 	for _, c := range p.children {
 		if c.Status() != StatusRunning {
 			continue
 		}
+		label := "Kill " + c.DisplayName()
+		if c.ID == p.focused {
+			label = "• " + label + " (current)"
+		}
 		out = append(out, paletteItem{
-			label:  "Kill " + c.DisplayName(),
+			label:  label,
 			hint:   "SIGTERM " + strings.Join(c.Argv, " "),
 			action: paletteAction{kind: "kill", childID: c.ID},
 		})
@@ -233,6 +280,9 @@ func peekArrowEvent(chunk []byte, i int) (nav byte, advance int) {
 // are consumed silently so they don't fall through to the ESC branch
 // and accidentally cancel the palette.
 func (p *paletteState) handleInput(chunk []byte, i int) (action paletteAction, done bool, advance int) {
+	if p.mode == paletteModeSpawnForm {
+		return p.handleFormInput(chunk, i)
+	}
 	b := chunk[i]
 	if b == 0x1b {
 		if n := csiLen(chunk, i); n > 0 {
@@ -243,7 +293,7 @@ func (p *paletteState) handleInput(chunk []byte, i int) (action paletteAction, d
 	}
 	switch b {
 	case '\r', '\n':
-		return p.accept(), true, 1
+		return p.acceptOrEnterForm(1)
 	case 0x7f, 0x08:
 		p.backspace()
 	case 0x15: // Ctrl-U
@@ -263,6 +313,20 @@ func (p *paletteState) handleInput(chunk []byte, i int) (action paletteAction, d
 	return paletteAction{}, false, 1
 }
 
+// acceptOrEnterForm wraps accept(): if the chosen item opens the
+// spawn-process form, transition into form mode instead of returning
+// done=true. The advance count is what the caller already consumed for
+// the Enter keystroke.
+func (p *paletteState) acceptOrEnterForm(adv int) (paletteAction, bool, int) {
+	a := p.accept()
+	if a.kind == "spawn-process-form" {
+		p.mode = paletteModeSpawnForm
+		p.form = &spawnProcessForm{}
+		return paletteAction{}, false, adv
+	}
+	return a, true, adv
+}
+
 func (p *paletteState) handleCSI(params []byte, final byte, n int) (paletteAction, bool, int) {
 	switch final {
 	case 'A':
@@ -279,7 +343,7 @@ func (p *paletteState) handleCSI(params []byte, final byte, n int) (paletteActio
 		}
 		switch k.key {
 		case 13: // Enter
-			return p.accept(), true, n
+			return p.acceptOrEnterForm(n)
 		case 27: // Escape
 			return paletteAction{kind: "cancel"}, true, n
 		case 127, 8: // Backspace
@@ -314,6 +378,98 @@ func (p *paletteState) handleCSI(params []byte, final byte, n int) (paletteActio
 	return paletteAction{}, false, n
 }
 
+// handleFormInput drives the spawn-process form. Tab cycles fields,
+// space toggles the relaunch checkbox when it has focus, Enter submits,
+// Esc cancels. The form supports both legacy and kitty key encodings to
+// match handleInput; bare ESC cancels the entire palette (consistent
+// with the picker).
+func (p *paletteState) handleFormInput(chunk []byte, i int) (paletteAction, bool, int) {
+	b := chunk[i]
+	if b == 0x1b {
+		if n := csiLen(chunk, i); n > 0 {
+			return p.handleFormCSI(chunk[i+2:i+n-1], chunk[i+n-1], n)
+		}
+		return paletteAction{kind: "cancel"}, true, 1
+	}
+	switch b {
+	case '\r', '\n':
+		return p.submitForm(), true, 1
+	case '\t':
+		p.cycleFormField()
+	case 0x7f, 0x08:
+		p.formBackspace()
+	case ' ':
+		if p.form.field == 1 {
+			p.form.relaunch = !p.form.relaunch
+		} else if b >= 0x20 && b < 0x7f {
+			p.form.cmd = append(p.form.cmd, rune(b))
+		}
+	default:
+		if b >= 0x20 && b < 0x7f && p.form.field == 0 {
+			p.form.cmd = append(p.form.cmd, rune(b))
+		}
+	}
+	return paletteAction{}, false, 1
+}
+
+func (p *paletteState) handleFormCSI(params []byte, final byte, n int) (paletteAction, bool, int) {
+	switch final {
+	case 'A', 'B':
+		// Arrow up/down cycles field.
+		p.cycleFormField()
+		return paletteAction{}, false, n
+	case 'u':
+		k, ok := decodeCSIu(string(params))
+		if !ok || k.event != 1 {
+			return paletteAction{}, false, n
+		}
+		switch k.key {
+		case 13:
+			return p.submitForm(), true, n
+		case 27:
+			return paletteAction{kind: "cancel"}, true, n
+		case 9:
+			p.cycleFormField()
+		case 127, 8:
+			p.formBackspace()
+		case ' ':
+			if p.form.field == 1 {
+				p.form.relaunch = !p.form.relaunch
+			}
+		default:
+			if k.mods == 1 && k.key >= 0x20 && k.key < 0x7f && p.form.field == 0 {
+				p.form.cmd = append(p.form.cmd, rune(k.key))
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return paletteAction{}, false, n
+}
+
+func (p *paletteState) cycleFormField() {
+	p.form.field++
+	if p.form.field > 1 {
+		p.form.field = 0
+	}
+}
+
+func (p *paletteState) formBackspace() {
+	if p.form.field == 0 && len(p.form.cmd) > 0 {
+		p.form.cmd = p.form.cmd[:len(p.form.cmd)-1]
+	}
+}
+
+func (p *paletteState) submitForm() paletteAction {
+	cmd := strings.TrimSpace(string(p.form.cmd))
+	if cmd == "" {
+		return paletteAction{kind: "cancel"}
+	}
+	return paletteAction{
+		kind:     "spawn-process-submit",
+		command:  cmd,
+		relaunch: p.form.relaunch,
+	}
+}
+
 func (p *paletteState) accept() paletteAction {
 	if p.cursor >= 0 && p.cursor < len(p.items) {
 		return p.items[p.cursor].action
@@ -352,6 +508,10 @@ func (p *paletteState) cursorDown() {
 // The caller is responsible for the screen clear before the first
 // render.
 func (p *paletteState) render(out writeFlusher, cols, rows int) {
+	if p.mode == paletteModeSpawnForm {
+		p.renderForm(out, cols, rows)
+		return
+	}
 	if cols < 32 {
 		cols = 32
 	}
@@ -517,6 +677,123 @@ func (p *paletteState) render(out writeFlusher, cols, rows int) {
 	_ = out.Flush()
 }
 
+// renderForm paints the "Spawn process…" two-field form. Layout
+// mirrors the picker (centered rounded box) so the user feels like
+// they're still inside the palette. Cursor parks at the active field
+// so it blinks where the next byte will land.
+func (p *paletteState) renderForm(out writeFlusher, cols, rows int) {
+	if p.form == nil {
+		p.form = &spawnProcessForm{}
+	}
+	if cols < 32 {
+		cols = 32
+	}
+	if rows < 10 {
+		rows = 10
+	}
+	width := cols - 8
+	if width > 72 {
+		width = 72
+	}
+	if width < 40 {
+		width = cols - 2
+	}
+	if width < 32 {
+		width = 32
+	}
+	leftPad := (cols - width) / 2
+	if leftPad < 1 {
+		leftPad = 1
+	}
+	content := width - 4
+
+	var b strings.Builder
+	b.WriteString("\x1b[?25l\x1b[H\x1b[2J\x1b[3J")
+
+	row := 2
+	title := "Spawn process"
+	hint := "esc cancel"
+	dashes := width - 3 - len(title) - 1 - 1 - len(hint) - 3
+	if dashes < 2 {
+		dashes = 2
+	}
+	moveTo(&b, row, leftPad)
+	b.WriteString(styleBorder + "╭─ " + styleActive + title + styleReset + styleBorder + " " +
+		strings.Repeat("─", dashes) + " " + styleHint + hint + styleReset + styleBorder + " ─╮" + styleReset)
+	row++
+
+	cmdStr := string(p.form.cmd)
+	cmdLen := utf8.RuneCountInString(cmdStr)
+	pad := content - 2 - cmdLen
+	if pad < 0 {
+		pad = 0
+		cmdStr = clipRunes(cmdStr, content-2)
+		cmdLen = utf8.RuneCountInString(cmdStr)
+	}
+	prompt := "❯"
+	if p.form.field == 0 {
+		prompt = styleAccent + "❯" + styleReset
+	} else {
+		prompt = styleDim + "❯" + styleReset
+	}
+	cmdRow := row
+	moveTo(&b, row, leftPad)
+	b.WriteString(styleBorder + "│" + styleReset + " " + prompt + " " + cmdStr +
+		strings.Repeat(" ", pad) + " " + styleBorder + "│" + styleReset)
+	row++
+
+	moveTo(&b, row, leftPad)
+	b.WriteString(styleBorder + "├" + strings.Repeat("─", width-2) + "┤" + styleReset)
+	row++
+
+	box := "[ ]"
+	if p.form.relaunch {
+		box = "[x]"
+	}
+	check := "  " + box + " Relaunch on exit"
+	if p.form.field == 1 {
+		check = styleAccent + "▎" + styleReset + " " + styleBold + box + styleReset + " Relaunch on exit"
+	}
+	checkLen := visibleLen(check)
+	cpad := content - checkLen
+	if cpad < 0 {
+		cpad = 0
+	}
+	moveTo(&b, row, leftPad)
+	b.WriteString(styleBorder + "│" + styleReset + " " + check +
+		strings.Repeat(" ", cpad) + " " + styleBorder + "│" + styleReset)
+	row++
+
+	moveTo(&b, row, leftPad)
+	b.WriteString(styleBorder + "├" + strings.Repeat("─", width-2) + "┤" + styleReset)
+	row++
+
+	footer := "↵ spawn · esc cancel · tab cycle · space toggle"
+	fLen := utf8.RuneCountInString(footer)
+	fpad := content - fLen
+	if fpad < 0 {
+		fpad = 0
+	}
+	moveTo(&b, row, leftPad)
+	b.WriteString(styleBorder + "│" + styleReset + " " + styleHint + footer + styleReset +
+		strings.Repeat(" ", fpad) + " " + styleBorder + "│" + styleReset)
+	row++
+
+	moveTo(&b, row, leftPad)
+	b.WriteString(styleBorder + "╰" + strings.Repeat("─", width-2) + "╯" + styleReset)
+
+	// Park the cursor on the command line if that field is focused.
+	if p.form.field == 0 {
+		moveTo(&b, cmdRow, leftPad+4+cmdLen)
+		b.WriteString("\x1b[?25h")
+	} else {
+		b.WriteString("\x1b[?25l")
+	}
+
+	_, _ = out.Write([]byte(b.String()))
+	_ = out.Flush()
+}
+
 func clipRunes(s string, n int) string {
 	if n <= 0 {
 		return ""

internal/app/palette_input_test.go

@@ -107,6 +107,83 @@ func TestPaletteLegacyPrintableTypes(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// "Spawn process…" is intercepted on accept: it switches the palette
+// into the form mode instead of closing it. Subsequent Enter on a
+// non-empty command line emits the submit action with relaunch reflecting
+// the checkbox state.
+func TestPaletteSpawnProcessFormFlow(t *testing.T) {
+	p := newPalette(nil, "", preset.Set{})
+	// The "Spawn process…" entry is the only non-Quit item with an
+	// empty preset list. Locate its index by scanning items.
+	idx := -1
+	for i, it := range p.items {
+		if it.action.kind == "spawn-process-form" {
+			idx = i
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	if idx < 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("no spawn-process-form item in palette items: %+v", p.items)
+	}
+	p.cursor = idx
+
+	// Enter on the entry opens the form (done=false, mode flips).
+	action, done, _ := p.handleInput([]byte("\r"), 0)
+	if done {
+		t.Fatalf("spawn-process-form accept closed palette: action=%+v", action)
+	}
+	if p.mode != paletteModeSpawnForm || p.form == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("palette did not switch to form mode: mode=%v form=%v", p.mode, p.form)
+	}
+
+	// Type a command: "bun run dev".
+	for _, b := range []byte("bun run dev") {
+		_, _, _ = p.handleInput([]byte{b}, 0)
+	}
+	if string(p.form.cmd) != "bun run dev" {
+		t.Fatalf("form cmd = %q", string(p.form.cmd))
+	}
+
+	// Tab to the relaunch field, toggle with space.
+	_, _, _ = p.handleInput([]byte{'\t'}, 0)
+	if p.form.field != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("field after tab = %d, want 1", p.form.field)
+	}
+	_, _, _ = p.handleInput([]byte{' '}, 0)
+	if !p.form.relaunch {
+		t.Fatalf("relaunch toggle didn't stick")
+	}
+
+	// Enter submits.
+	action, done, _ = p.handleInput([]byte("\r"), 0)
+	if !done || action.kind != "spawn-process-submit" {
+		t.Fatalf("submit didn't fire: action=%+v done=%v", action, done)
+	}
+	if action.command != "bun run dev" || !action.relaunch {
+		t.Fatalf("submit payload = %+v", action)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPaletteSpawnProcessFormEmptyCommandCancels(t *testing.T) {
+	p := newPalette(nil, "", preset.Set{})
+	p.mode = paletteModeSpawnForm
+	p.form = &spawnProcessForm{}
+	action, done, _ := p.handleInput([]byte("\r"), 0)
+	if !done || action.kind != "cancel" {
+		t.Fatalf("empty submit didn't cancel: action=%+v done=%v", action, done)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPaletteSpawnProcessFormEscCancels(t *testing.T) {
+	p := newPalette(nil, "", preset.Set{})
+	p.mode = paletteModeSpawnForm
+	p.form = &spawnProcessForm{cmd: []rune("x")}
+	action, done, _ := p.handleInput([]byte{0x1b}, 0)
+	if !done || action.kind != "cancel" {
+		t.Fatalf("ESC didn't cancel form: action=%+v done=%v", action, done)
+	}
+}
+
 // peekArrowEvent powers the chunk-level dedupe in processStdin. The
 // scenarios below cover the patterns we've actually seen terminals
 // emit for one physical Down press: a kitty press event, a legacy CSI

internal/app/sidebar.go

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ func (st *uiState) drawSidebar() {
 	st.mu.Lock()
 	palOpen := st.palette != nil
 	focus := st.focusedID
+	activeAgent := st.activeAgentID
 	st.mu.Unlock()
 	if palOpen {
 		return
@@ -70,12 +71,46 @@ func (st *uiState) drawSidebar() {
 		return styleHint + "●" + styleReset
 	}
 
-	writeHeader("Session tree")
+	// Processes section — top-level command/terminal processes,
-	children := visibleSessionTree(st.sess.Children(), focus)
+	// session-wide (does not change when the user switches agent tabs).
-	if len(children) == 0 {
+	writeHeader("Processes")
+	procs := processList(st.sess.Children())
+	if len(procs) == 0 {
+		write("   " + styleDim + "(none)" + styleReset)
+	}
+	for _, c := range procs {
+		if row > maxRow {
+			break
+		}
+		focused := c.ID == focus
+		glyph := statusGlyph(c, focused)
+		marker := ""
+		if c.AutoRestart() {
+			marker = " " + styleDim + "⟳" + styleReset
+		}
+		var line string
+		if focused {
+			line = " " + styleAccent + "▎" + styleReset + " " + glyph + " " +
+				styleBold + c.DisplayName() + styleReset + marker
+		} else {
+			line = "   " + glyph + " " + styleHint + c.DisplayName() + styleReset + marker
+		}
+		write(line)
+	}
+
+	// Agent Tree section — formerly "Session tree". Shows the active
+	// agent tab's root plus its sub-agents. The active agent is pinned
+	// by activeAgentID, so the tree keeps showing the right tab even
+	// when focus moves into the Processes section above.
+	if row+2 <= maxRow {
+		write("")
+	}
+	writeHeader("Agent Tree")
+	agents := visibleAgentTree(st.sess.Children(), activeAgent)
+	if len(agents) == 0 {
 		write("   " + styleDim + "(empty)" + styleReset)
 	}
-	for _, c := range children {
+	for _, c := range agents {
 		if row > maxRow {
 			break
 		}

internal/app/tabbar.go

@@ -30,8 +30,14 @@ func (st *uiState) drawTabBar() {
 		return
 	}
 
+	// Tabs list top-level agent sessions only. Command/terminal
+	// processes live in the Processes sidebar section and never own a
+	// tab — they're global to the session, not per-tab.
 	var sessions []*Child
 	for _, c := range st.sess.Children() {
+		if c.Kind != KindAgent {
+			continue
+		}
 		if c.ParentID == "" && c.Status() == StatusRunning {
 			sessions = append(sessions, c)
 		}
@@ -125,9 +131,13 @@ func (st *uiState) drawTabBar() {
 
 	var b strings.Builder
 	// Clear both rows so a stale label from the previous frame can't
-	// bleed through.
+	// bleed through. Use ECH clamped to `width` (= childCols) instead of
-	b.WriteString("\x1b[1;1H\x1b[2K")
+	// `\x1b[2K`: 2K wipes the entire line including the sidebar columns,
-	b.WriteString("\x1b[2;1H\x1b[2K")
+	// and if drawSidebar's chrome cache is fresh it won't repaint to
+	// fill them back in — the user sees a gap where the sidebar border
+	// and content should be.
+	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "\x1b[1;1H\x1b[%dX", width)
+	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "\x1b[2;1H\x1b[%dX", width)
 
 	for _, t := range tabs {
 		// Row 1: centre-ish label inside the tab cell.

internal/app/tree.go

@@ -1,5 +1,32 @@
 package app
 
+// visibleAgentTree returns the running entries under the active agent
+// tab (root agent + its sub-agents). With the new Processes pane,
+// command processes live in their own section and never show up here —
+// the agent tree is for KindAgent (and KindTerminal sub-entries) only.
+func visibleAgentTree(children []*Child, activeAgentID string) []*Child {
+	if activeAgentID == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make([]*Child, 0, len(children))
+	for _, c := range children {
+		if c.Status() != StatusRunning {
+			continue
+		}
+		if c.Kind == KindCommand && c.ParentID == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		if c.ID == activeAgentID || c.ParentID == activeAgentID {
+			out = append(out, c)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// visibleSessionTree is retained for the test suite and any pre-Processes
+// callers — it returns the active agent's tree given the focused id,
+// resolving the active agent root from focus the same way the previous
+// implementation did.
 func visibleSessionTree(children []*Child, focusID string) []*Child {
 	rootID := activeRootID(children, focusID)
 	if rootID == "" {
@@ -17,12 +44,19 @@ func visibleSessionTree(children []*Child, focusID string) []*Child {
 	return out
 }
 
+// activeRootID resolves the agent root the user is "inside" right now.
+// If focus is on a sub-agent, it walks up. If focus is on a top-level
+// process (KindCommand), it falls through to the first running agent
+// root so the agent tree section keeps showing something coherent.
 func activeRootID(children []*Child, focusID string) string {
 	if focusID != "" {
 		for _, c := range children {
 			if c.ID != focusID {
 				continue
 			}
+			if c.Kind == KindCommand && c.ParentID == "" {
+				break
+			}
 			if c.ParentID == "" {
 				return c.ID
 			}
@@ -32,7 +66,14 @@ func activeRootID(children []*Child, focusID string) string {
 			return ""
 		}
 	}
+	return firstRunningAgentID(children)
+}
+
+func firstRunningAgentID(children []*Child) string {
 	for _, c := range children {
+		if c.Kind != KindAgent {
+			continue
+		}
 		if c.ParentID == "" && c.Status() == StatusRunning {
 			return c.ID
 		}
@@ -40,6 +81,23 @@ func activeRootID(children []*Child, focusID string) string {
 	return ""
 }
 
+// processList returns every top-level command/terminal entry in spawn
+// order, regardless of running state. The Processes sidebar section
+// keeps showing exited entries so the user can see what just died (and
+// because Session retains KindCommand entries for restart).
+func processList(children []*Child) []*Child {
+	out := make([]*Child, 0, len(children))
+	for _, c := range children {
+		if c.ParentID != "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		if c.Kind == KindCommand || c.Kind == KindTerminal {
+			out = append(out, c)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 func findChildInSnapshot(children []*Child, id string) *Child {
 	for _, c := range children {
 		if c.ID == id {
@@ -58,12 +116,16 @@ func firstRunningTopLevel(children []*Child) *Child {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// runningTopLevels lists every running top-level session in the order
+// runningTopLevels lists every running top-level agent session in the
-// they appear in the snapshot — the same order the tab bar uses, so
+// order they appear in the snapshot. Tabs only show agents — command
-// Ctrl+A/D navigation matches what the user sees on screen.
+// processes live in the Processes sidebar section — so Ctrl+A/D
+// navigation cycles through agent tabs exclusively.
 func runningTopLevels(children []*Child) []*Child {
 	out := make([]*Child, 0, len(children))
 	for _, c := range children {
+		if c.Kind != KindAgent {
+			continue
+		}
 		if c.ParentID == "" && c.Status() == StatusRunning {
 			out = append(out, c)
 		}
@@ -123,11 +185,29 @@ func currentTabFlat(children []*Child, focusID string) []*Child {
 	return out
 }
 
-// nextChildID returns the process id `step` positions away from the
+// sidebarNavList combines the Processes section and the active Agent
-// current focus inside its tab, wrapping at both ends. Empty when
+// Tree into one flat list — top-to-bottom matching what the user sees
-// there's only one process in the tab.
+// in the sidebar. Ctrl+W/S walks this list so the user can step out of
-func nextChildID(children []*Child, focusID string, step int) string {
+// the agent tree, into the Processes section, and back.
-	flat := currentTabFlat(children, focusID)
+func sidebarNavList(children []*Child, activeAgentID string) []*Child {
+	out := make([]*Child, 0, 8)
+	for _, c := range processList(children) {
+		if c.Status() != StatusRunning {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, c)
+	}
+	for _, c := range visibleAgentTree(children, activeAgentID) {
+		out = append(out, c)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// nextChildID returns the id `step` positions away from the current
+// focus in the combined Processes + active-agent-tree navigation list,
+// wrapping at both ends. Empty when there's nothing else to land on.
+func nextChildID(children []*Child, focusID, activeAgentID string, step int) string {
+	flat := sidebarNavList(children, activeAgentID)
 	if len(flat) < 2 {
 		return ""
 	}

internal/app/tree_test.go

@@ -41,9 +41,9 @@ func childIDs(cs []*Child) []string {
 }
 
 func TestNextTabIDWrapsAndSkipsCurrent(t *testing.T) {
-	r1 := testChild("c1", "root1", "", StatusRunning)
+	r1 := testAgent("c1", "root1", "", StatusRunning)
-	r2 := testChild("c2", "root2", "", StatusRunning)
+	r2 := testAgent("c2", "root2", "", StatusRunning)
-	r3 := testChild("c3", "root3", "", StatusRunning)
+	r3 := testAgent("c3", "root3", "", StatusRunning)
 	children := []*Child{r1, r2, r3}
 
 	if got := nextTabID(children, "c1", +1); got != "c2" {
@@ -58,9 +58,9 @@ func TestNextTabIDWrapsAndSkipsCurrent(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestNextTabIDFromSubAgentJumpsByRoot(t *testing.T) {
-	r1 := testChild("c1", "root1", "", StatusRunning)
+	r1 := testAgent("c1", "root1", "", StatusRunning)
-	r1Child := testChild("c2", "child1", "c1", StatusRunning)
+	r1Child := testAgent("c2", "child1", "c1", StatusRunning)
-	r2 := testChild("c3", "root2", "", StatusRunning)
+	r2 := testAgent("c3", "root2", "", StatusRunning)
 	children := []*Child{r1, r1Child, r2}
 
 	// Focus is on a sub-agent of root1; Ctrl+D should jump to root2,
@@ -71,29 +71,89 @@ func TestNextTabIDFromSubAgentJumpsByRoot(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestNextChildIDCyclesWithinTab(t *testing.T) {
-	r1 := testChild("c1", "root1", "", StatusRunning)
+	r1 := testAgent("c1", "root1", "", StatusRunning)
-	a := testChild("c2", "a", "c1", StatusRunning)
+	a := testAgent("c2", "a", "c1", StatusRunning)
-	b := testChild("c3", "b", "c1", StatusRunning)
+	b := testAgent("c3", "b", "c1", StatusRunning)
-	other := testChild("c4", "other-root", "", StatusRunning)
+	other := testAgent("c4", "other-root", "", StatusRunning)
 	children := []*Child{r1, a, b, other}
 
-	if got := nextChildID(children, "c1", +1); got != "c2" {
+	if got := nextChildID(children, "c1", "c1", +1); got != "c2" {
 		t.Fatalf("root->first child: %q", got)
 	}
-	if got := nextChildID(children, "c2", +1); got != "c3" {
+	if got := nextChildID(children, "c2", "c1", +1); got != "c3" {
 		t.Fatalf("a->b: %q", got)
 	}
-	if got := nextChildID(children, "c3", +1); got != "c1" {
+	if got := nextChildID(children, "c3", "c1", +1); got != "c1" {
 		t.Fatalf("wrap b->root: %q", got)
 	}
-	if got := nextChildID(children, "c1", -1); got != "c3" {
+	if got := nextChildID(children, "c1", "c1", -1); got != "c3" {
 		t.Fatalf("wrap backward root->b: %q", got)
 	}
 }
 
 func TestNextChildIDNoopWhenOnlyOneProcess(t *testing.T) {
-	r := testChild("c1", "solo", "", StatusRunning)
+	r := testAgent("c1", "solo", "", StatusRunning)
-	if got := nextChildID([]*Child{r}, "c1", +1); got != "" {
+	if got := nextChildID([]*Child{r}, "c1", "c1", +1); got != "" {
 		t.Fatalf("expected empty when only one process in tab, got %q", got)
 	}
 }
+
+// testAgent is a testChild wrapper that sets KindAgent — the new
+// navigation/visibility helpers filter by kind, so tests need explicit
+// kinds to behave like real agents.
+func testAgent(id, name, parent string, status ChildStatus) *Child {
+	c := testChild(id, name, parent, status)
+	c.Kind = KindAgent
+	return c
+}
+
+func testProcess(id, name string, status ChildStatus) *Child {
+	c := testChild(id, name, "", status)
+	c.Kind = KindCommand
+	return c
+}
+
+func TestSidebarNavListIncludesProcessesAboveAgentTree(t *testing.T) {
+	p1 := testProcess("p1", "bun", StatusRunning)
+	p2 := testProcess("p2", "queue", StatusRunning)
+	r := testAgent("a1", "claude", "", StatusRunning)
+	sub := testAgent("a2", "sub", "a1", StatusRunning)
+	flat := sidebarNavList([]*Child{p1, p2, r, sub}, "a1")
+	if len(flat) != 4 || flat[0].ID != "p1" || flat[1].ID != "p2" ||
+		flat[2].ID != "a1" || flat[3].ID != "a2" {
+		t.Fatalf("flat = %v, want p1 p2 a1 a2", childIDs(flat))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNextChildIDWalksProcessesThenAgentTree(t *testing.T) {
+	p1 := testProcess("p1", "bun", StatusRunning)
+	r := testAgent("a1", "claude", "", StatusRunning)
+	sub := testAgent("a2", "sub", "a1", StatusRunning)
+	children := []*Child{p1, r, sub}
+	// From a process, Ctrl+S walks down into the agent tree.
+	if got := nextChildID(children, "p1", "a1", +1); got != "a1" {
+		t.Fatalf("p1 -> a1: %q", got)
+	}
+	// From the agent root, Ctrl+W walks back up into the process list.
+	if got := nextChildID(children, "a1", "a1", -1); got != "p1" {
+		t.Fatalf("a1 -> p1: %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestVisibleAgentTreeExcludesTopLevelCommands(t *testing.T) {
+	p := testProcess("p1", "bun", StatusRunning)
+	r := testAgent("a1", "claude", "", StatusRunning)
+	got := visibleAgentTree([]*Child{p, r}, "a1")
+	if len(got) != 1 || got[0].ID != "a1" {
+		t.Fatalf("agent tree = %v, want only a1", childIDs(got))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunningTopLevelsSkipsCommands(t *testing.T) {
+	p := testProcess("p1", "bun", StatusRunning)
+	r := testAgent("a1", "claude", "", StatusRunning)
+	got := runningTopLevels([]*Child{p, r})
+	if len(got) != 1 || got[0].ID != "a1" {
+		t.Fatalf("top-levels = %v, want only a1", childIDs(got))
+	}
+}

internal/app/viewport_renderer.go

@@ -27,6 +27,12 @@ type viewportRenderer struct {
 	// OnPTYOut consumes the flag and invalidates the sidebar chrome
 	// cache so the next drawSidebar repaints over the clobber.
 	scrolled bool
+
+	// skipUTF8 is set when the current multi-byte UTF-8 character started
+	// past the viewport's right edge. The starter byte was dropped, so
+	// the remaining continuation bytes must be dropped too instead of
+	// leaking into the sidebar columns.
+	skipUTF8 bool
 }
 
 type viewportState int
@@ -45,7 +51,7 @@ const (
 
 func newViewportRenderer(l terminalLayout) *viewportRenderer {
 	return &viewportRenderer{
-		shifter: newCursorShifter(int(l.mainTop)-1, int(l.childRows())),
+		shifter: newCursorShifter(int(l.mainTop)-1, int(l.childRows()), int(l.childCols())),
 		layout:  l,
 		row:     1,
 		col:     1,
@@ -56,7 +62,7 @@ func (vr *viewportRenderer) SetLayout(l terminalLayout) {
 	vr.mu.Lock()
 	defer vr.mu.Unlock()
 	vr.layout = l
-	vr.shifter.SetGeometry(int(l.mainTop)-1, int(l.childRows()))
+	vr.shifter.SetGeometry(int(l.mainTop)-1, int(l.childRows()), int(l.childCols()))
 }
 
 func (vr *viewportRenderer) Render(in []byte) []byte {
@@ -98,8 +104,7 @@ func (vr *viewportRenderer) feed(b byte) {
 			vr.buf = append(vr.buf, b)
 			return
 		}
-		vr.pending.WriteByte(b)
+		vr.feedPrintable(b)
-		vr.advancePrintable(b)
 	case vpEsc:
 		vr.buf = append(vr.buf, b)
 		switch b {
@@ -286,6 +291,9 @@ func (vr *viewportRenderer) clearViewportToCursor() string {
 	if col < 1 {
 		col = 1
 	}
+	if col > cols {
+		col = cols
+	}
 	var b strings.Builder
 	b.WriteString("\x1b7")
 	for r := 1; r < row; r++ {
@@ -318,6 +326,60 @@ func (vr *viewportRenderer) clearLine(n int) string {
 	}
 }
 
+// feedPrintable handles one non-ESC byte in the vpNormal state. It both
+// advances vr's cursor model and decides whether the byte should be
+// forwarded to the host. Bytes that would land past the viewport's
+// right edge (childCols) are dropped so a child whose internal column
+// state drifted past the viewport can't spray into the sidebar columns.
+// UTF-8 continuation bytes follow the fate of their starter so a
+// multi-byte glyph drops as a unit.
+func (vr *viewportRenderer) feedPrintable(b byte) {
+	// Control codes (CR, LF, BS, TAB, BEL, etc.) move the cursor or
+	// signal state and must always be forwarded. They never produce
+	// glyphs, so they can't clobber the sidebar themselves.
+	if b < 0x20 || b == 0x7f {
+		vr.pending.WriteByte(b)
+		switch b {
+		case '\r':
+			vr.col = 1
+		case '\n':
+			vr.row++
+		case '\b':
+			if vr.col > 1 {
+				vr.col--
+			}
+		case '\t':
+			vr.col += 8 - ((vr.col - 1) % 8)
+		}
+		vr.skipUTF8 = false
+		vr.clampCursor()
+		return
+	}
+	// UTF-8 continuation byte (10xxxxxx) belongs to the current glyph.
+	if b >= 0x80 && b < 0xC0 {
+		if vr.skipUTF8 {
+			return
+		}
+		vr.pending.WriteByte(b)
+		return
+	}
+	// Glyph starter (ASCII 0x20..0x7E or UTF-8 leading byte 0xC0+). If
+	// the cursor sits past the viewport we'd be spraying into the
+	// sidebar columns — drop the glyph (and the continuation bytes that
+	// follow, via skipUTF8).
+	maxCol := int(vr.layout.childCols())
+	if maxCol > 0 && vr.col > maxCol {
+		vr.skipUTF8 = b >= 0xC0
+		return
+	}
+	vr.skipUTF8 = false
+	vr.pending.WriteByte(b)
+	vr.col++
+	vr.clampCursor()
+}
+
+// advancePrintable is retained for tests that exercise cursor tracking
+// directly; the runtime path goes through feedPrintable.
 func (vr *viewportRenderer) advancePrintable(b byte) {
 	switch b {
 	case '\r':
@@ -331,7 +393,7 @@ func (vr *viewportRenderer) advancePrintable(b byte) {
 	case '\t':
 		vr.col += 8 - ((vr.col - 1) % 8)
 	default:
-		if b >= 0x20 && b != 0x7f {
+		if b >= 0x20 && b != 0x7f && (b < 0x80 || b >= 0xC0) {
 			vr.col++
 		}
 	}
@@ -389,7 +451,15 @@ func (vr *viewportRenderer) clampCursor() {
 	if max := int(vr.layout.childRows()); vr.row > max {
 		vr.row = max
 	}
-	if max := int(vr.layout.childCols()); vr.col > max {
+	// Intentionally do NOT clamp vr.col to childCols here. feedPrintable
-		vr.col = max
+	// drops glyphs once vr.col exceeds childCols (so a child whose
+	// internal column state drifted past the viewport can't spray bytes
+	// into the sidebar). If we clamped col back to childCols on every
+	// printable, every subsequent byte would look like it was still "at
+	// the right margin" and would write again. We cap at childCols+1
+	// instead so clear-line bookkeeping doesn't see arbitrarily large
+	// numbers.
+	if max := int(vr.layout.childCols()); vr.col > max+1 {
+		vr.col = max + 1
 	}
 }

internal/app/viewport_renderer_test.go

@@ -5,6 +5,14 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 )
 
+func bytesRepeat(b byte, n int) []byte {
+	out := make([]byte, n)
+	for i := range out {
+		out[i] = b
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 func TestViewportRendererShiftsCursor(t *testing.T) {
 	vr := newViewportRenderer(newTerminalLayout(120, 40))
 	got := string(vr.Render([]byte("\x1b[H")))
@@ -103,6 +111,65 @@ func TestViewportRendererTracksPrintableCursor(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestViewportRendererClampsCUPColumn(t *testing.T) {
+	// Layout: hostCols=120, sidebar present → childCols=91. A child that
+	// thinks its viewport is the full host width could emit a CUP to col
+	// 95 (inside the sidebar). The renderer must clamp the emitted CUP
+	// column so the host cursor never lands in the sidebar.
+	vr := newViewportRenderer(newTerminalLayout(120, 40))
+	got := string(vr.Render([]byte("\x1b[5;95H")))
+	if !strings.Contains(got, "\x1b[7;91H") {
+		t.Fatalf("CUP col 95 should clamp to 91 (childCols): got %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestViewportRendererClampsCHAColumn(t *testing.T) {
+	vr := newViewportRenderer(newTerminalLayout(120, 40))
+	got := string(vr.Render([]byte("\x1b[110G")))
+	if !strings.Contains(got, "\x1b[91G") {
+		t.Fatalf("CHA col 110 should clamp to 91 (childCols): got %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestViewportRendererDropsPrintablesPastViewport(t *testing.T) {
+	// A child whose internal column state drifted past the viewport
+	// (childCols=91 here) might CUP to col 95 and stream text. The CUP
+	// column is clamped to the viewport edge, but tracking still
+	// considers the cursor "past" — so subsequent printables must drop
+	// rather than walk into the sidebar columns.
+	vr := newViewportRenderer(newTerminalLayout(120, 40))
+	got := string(vr.Render([]byte("\x1b[5;95HCLOBBER")))
+	if strings.Contains(got, "CLOBBER") || strings.Contains(got, "LOBBER") {
+		t.Fatalf("printables past childCols should be dropped: got %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestViewportRendererKeepsPrintablesUpToViewportEdge(t *testing.T) {
+	// Writing exactly childCols glyphs from col 1 must reach the right
+	// edge unchanged — the drop kicks in only after the cursor passes
+	// the last viewport column.
+	vr := newViewportRenderer(newTerminalLayout(120, 40))
+	in := append([]byte("\x1b[5;1H"), bytesRepeat('x', 91)...)
+	got := string(vr.Render(in))
+	if strings.Count(got, "x") != 91 {
+		t.Fatalf("91 'x' glyphs from col 1 should all be emitted: got %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestViewportRendererDropsUTF8GlyphPastViewport(t *testing.T) {
+	// A 3-byte UTF-8 glyph (U+2500 BOX DRAWINGS LIGHT HORIZONTAL) starting
+	// past the viewport must be dropped as a unit — leaking even one
+	// continuation byte would feed a malformed sequence to the host.
+	vr := newViewportRenderer(newTerminalLayout(120, 40))
+	got := string(vr.Render([]byte("\x1b[5;95H─x")))
+	if strings.Contains(got, "─") {
+		t.Fatalf("UTF-8 glyph past viewport should be dropped: got %q", got)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(got, "x") {
+		t.Fatalf("trailing ASCII past viewport should also be dropped: got %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestViewportRendererFlagsRIAsScrolling(t *testing.T) {
 	// Reproduces the sidebar-gap bug: codex emits `\x1b[1;1H` followed
 	// by 8× `\x1bM` (RI) on startup. RI at the top of the host scroll

internal/harness/input.go

@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@ func EncodeChord(name string) ([]byte, error) {
 		return []byte{0x10}, nil
 	case "ctrl-u":
 		return []byte{0x15}, nil
+	case "tab":
+		return []byte{'\t'}, nil
+	case "space":
+		return []byte{' '}, nil
 	}
 	return nil, fmt.Errorf("unknown chord %q", name)
 }

internal/harness/scenarios/sidebar_survives_ri_scroll.json

@@ -16,12 +16,13 @@
     },
     { "type": "wait_text", "contains": "RIBURST READY", "timeout_ms": 5000 },
     { "type": "wait_stable", "timeout_ms": 2000 },
-    { "type": "assert_contains", "contains": "Session tree" },
+    { "type": "assert_contains", "contains": "Processes" },
+    { "type": "assert_contains", "contains": "Agent Tree" },
     { "type": "assert_contains", "contains": "● riburst" },
     { "type": "assert_contains", "contains": "Scratchpads" },
     {
       "type": "assert_regex",
-      "regex": "(?s)Session tree[^\\n]*\\n[^─\\n]*─[─]+[^\\n]*\\n[^●\\n]*● riburst",
+      "regex": "(?s)Processes[^\\n]*\\n[^─\\n]*─[─]+[^\\n]*\\n[^●\\n]*● riburst",
       "timeout_ms": 2000
     }
   ]

internal/harness/scenarios/sidebar_survives_wide_writes.json

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+{
+  "name": "sidebar_survives_wide_writes",
+  "cols": 120,
+  "rows": 40,
+  "scripts": [
+    {
+      "name": "widewrite",
+      "body": "#!/bin/sh\n# Reproduces a long-running TUI whose internal column state drifted\n# past the viewport width (the symptom seen in fucked-up-terminal.txt:\n# claude's input box drew a horizontal divider all the way to the host\n# edge, overwriting the sidebar). The widths here are: cols=120,\n# sidebarCols=28, so the viewport is 91 cols wide and the sidebar\n# border lives at col 92. Anything the child writes at col >= 92 lands\n# in the sidebar unless patterm defensively clamps it.\n#\n# After WIDE READY, emit 12 throw-away chunks to exhaust the focus\n# snapshot replay budget (8 chunks) so the wide-write clobber goes\n# through the *incremental* viewport renderer path. That's the path\n# that long-running sessions stay on — without clamping it can spray\n# bytes into the sidebar.\nprintf 'WIDE READY\\n'\ni=0\nwhile [ $i -lt 12 ]; do\n  printf 'tick %d\\n' \"$i\"\n  i=$((i + 1))\n  sleep 0.05\ndone\nprintf 'PRE-CLOBBER\\n'\nsleep 0.2\nprintf '\\033[5;95HCLOBBER-CUP'\nsleep 0.1\nprintf '\\033[7;100HCLOBBER-CUP2'\nsleep 0.1\nprintf '\\033[9;1H'\nprintf '\\033[110GCLOBBER-CHA'\nprintf '\\nDONE\\n'\nsleep 5\n"
+    }
+  ],
+  "steps": [
+    {
+      "type": "mcp_call",
+      "method": "spawn_process",
+      "params": { "kind": "command", "argv": ["widewrite"], "name": "widewrite" }
+    },
+    { "type": "wait_text", "contains": "WIDE READY", "timeout_ms": 5000 },
+    { "type": "wait_text", "contains": "DONE", "timeout_ms": 5000 },
+    { "type": "wait_stable", "timeout_ms": 2000 },
+    { "type": "assert_contains", "contains": "Agent Tree" },
+    { "type": "assert_contains", "contains": "Processes" },
+    { "type": "assert_contains", "contains": "Scratchpads" },
+    { "type": "assert_contains", "contains": "● widewrite" },
+    { "type": "assert_not_contains", "contains": "CLOBBER-CUP" },
+    { "type": "assert_not_contains", "contains": "CLOBBER-CHA" }
+  ]
+}

internal/harness/scenarios/spawn_process_form.json

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+{
+  "name": "spawn_process_form",
+  "cols": 100,
+  "rows": 30,
+  "scripts": [
+    {
+      "name": "formfixture",
+      "body": "#!/bin/sh\necho FORM-READY\nsleep 5\n"
+    }
+  ],
+  "steps": [
+    { "type": "wait_stable", "timeout_ms": 3000 },
+    { "type": "send_chord", "chord": "ctrl-k" },
+    { "type": "send_text", "text": "Spawn process" },
+    { "type": "send_chord", "chord": "enter" },
+    { "type": "wait_text", "contains": "Spawn process", "timeout_ms": 3000 },
+    { "type": "send_text", "text": "formfixture" },
+    { "type": "send_chord", "chord": "tab" },
+    { "type": "send_chord", "chord": "space" },
+    { "type": "send_chord", "chord": "enter" },
+    { "type": "wait_text", "contains": "FORM-READY", "timeout_ms": 5000 },
+    {
+      "type": "assert_mcp",
+      "method": "list_processes",
+      "path": "0.status",
+      "equals": "running"
+    },
+    { "type": "assert_contains", "contains": "Processes" },
+    { "type": "assert_contains", "contains": "⟳" }
+  ]
+}