Easily Selectable History (#1672)

This update replaces the previous ratatui history widget with an
append-only log so that the terminal can handle text selection and
scrolling. It also disables streaming responses, which we'll do our best
to bring back in a later PR. It also adds a small summary of token use
after the TUI exits.

codex-rs/Cargo.lock

@@ -852,6 +852,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "tui-markdown",
  "tui-textarea",
  "unicode-segmentation",
+ "unicode-width 0.1.14",
  "uuid",
 ]
 

codex-rs/cli/src/main.rs

@@ -105,7 +105,8 @@ async fn cli_main(codex_linux_sandbox_exe: Option<PathBuf>) -> anyhow::Result<()
         None => {
             let mut tui_cli = cli.interactive;
             prepend_config_flags(&mut tui_cli.config_overrides, cli.config_overrides);
-            codex_tui::run_main(tui_cli, codex_linux_sandbox_exe)?;
+            let usage = codex_tui::run_main(tui_cli, codex_linux_sandbox_exe)?;
+            println!("{}", codex_core::protocol::FinalOutput::from(usage));
         }
         Some(Subcommand::Exec(mut exec_cli)) => {
             prepend_config_flags(&mut exec_cli.config_overrides, cli.config_overrides);

codex-rs/config.md

@@ -498,14 +498,5 @@ Options that are specific to the TUI.
 
 ```toml
 [tui]
-# This will make it so that Codex does not try to process mouse events, which
+# More to come here
-# means your Terminal's native drag-to-text to text selection and copy/paste
-# should work. The tradeoff is that Codex will not receive any mouse events, so
-# it will not be possible to use the mouse to scroll conversation history.
-#
-# Note that most terminals support holding down a modifier key when using the
-# mouse to support text selection. For example, even if Codex mouse capture is
-# enabled (i.e., this is set to `false`), you can still hold down alt while
-# dragging the mouse to select text.
-disable_mouse_capture = true  # defaults to `false`
 ```

codex-rs/core/src/config_types.rs

@@ -76,20 +76,7 @@ pub enum HistoryPersistence {
 
 /// Collection of settings that are specific to the TUI.
 #[derive(Deserialize, Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Default)]
-pub struct Tui {
+pub struct Tui {}
-    /// By default, mouse capture is enabled in the TUI so that it is possible
-    /// to scroll the conversation history with a mouse. This comes at the cost
-    /// of not being able to use the mouse to select text in the TUI.
-    /// (Most terminals support a modifier key to allow this. For example,
-    /// text selection works in iTerm if you hold down the `Option` key while
-    /// clicking and dragging.)
-    ///
-    /// Setting this option to `true` disables mouse capture, so scrolling with
-    /// the mouse is not possible, though the keyboard shortcuts e.g. `b` and
-    /// `space` still work. This allows the user to select text in the TUI
-    /// using the mouse without needing to hold down a modifier key.
-    pub disable_mouse_capture: bool,
-}
 
 #[derive(Deserialize, Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Default)]
 #[serde(rename_all = "kebab-case")]

codex-rs/core/src/protocol.rs

@@ -4,9 +4,10 @@
 //! between user and agent.
 
 use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::fmt;
 use std::path::Path;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
-use std::str::FromStr;
+use std::str::FromStr; // Added for FinalOutput Display implementation
 
 use mcp_types::CallToolResult;
 use serde::Deserialize;
@@ -358,6 +359,36 @@ pub struct TokenUsage {
     pub total_tokens: u64,
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Deserialize, Serialize)]
+pub struct FinalOutput {
+    pub token_usage: TokenUsage,
+}
+
+impl From<TokenUsage> for FinalOutput {
+    fn from(token_usage: TokenUsage) -> Self {
+        Self { token_usage }
+    }
+}
+
+impl fmt::Display for FinalOutput {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
+        let u = &self.token_usage;
+        write!(
+            f,
+            "Token usage: total={} input={}{} output={}{}",
+            u.total_tokens,
+            u.input_tokens,
+            u.cached_input_tokens
+                .map(|c| format!(" (cached {c})"))
+                .unwrap_or_default(),
+            u.output_tokens,
+            u.reasoning_output_tokens
+                .map(|r| format!(" (reasoning {r})"))
+                .unwrap_or_default()
+        )
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Deserialize, Serialize)]
 pub struct AgentMessageEvent {
     pub message: String,

codex-rs/tui/Cargo.toml

@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ tui-input = "0.14.0"
 tui-markdown = "0.3.3"
 tui-textarea = "0.7.0"
 unicode-segmentation = "1.12.0"
+unicode-width = "0.1"
 uuid = "1"
 
 [dev-dependencies]

codex-rs/tui/src/app.rs

@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ use crate::get_git_diff::get_git_diff;
 use crate::git_warning_screen::GitWarningOutcome;
 use crate::git_warning_screen::GitWarningScreen;
 use crate::login_screen::LoginScreen;
-use crate::mouse_capture::MouseCapture;
 use crate::scroll_event_helper::ScrollEventHelper;
 use crate::slash_command::SlashCommand;
 use crate::tui;
@@ -197,17 +196,17 @@ impl App<'_> {
         });
     }
 
-    pub(crate) fn run(
+    pub(crate) fn run(&mut self, terminal: &mut tui::Tui) -> Result<()> {
-        &mut self,
-        terminal: &mut tui::Tui,
-        mouse_capture: &mut MouseCapture,
-    ) -> Result<()> {
         // Insert an event to trigger the first render.
         let app_event_tx = self.app_event_tx.clone();
         app_event_tx.send(AppEvent::RequestRedraw);
 
         while let Ok(event) = self.app_event_rx.recv() {
             match event {
+                AppEvent::InsertHistory(lines) => {
+                    crate::insert_history::insert_history_lines(terminal, lines);
+                    self.app_event_tx.send(AppEvent::RequestRedraw);
+                }
                 AppEvent::RequestRedraw => {
                     self.schedule_redraw();
                 }
@@ -287,11 +286,6 @@ impl App<'_> {
                         self.app_state = AppState::Chat { widget: new_widget };
                         self.app_event_tx.send(AppEvent::RequestRedraw);
                     }
-                    SlashCommand::ToggleMouseMode => {
-                        if let Err(e) = mouse_capture.toggle() {
-                            tracing::error!("Failed to toggle mouse mode: {e}");
-                        }
-                    }
                     SlashCommand::Quit => {
                         break;
                     }
@@ -332,6 +326,15 @@ impl App<'_> {
         Ok(())
     }
 
+    pub(crate) fn token_usage(&self) -> codex_core::protocol::TokenUsage {
+        match &self.app_state {
+            AppState::Chat { widget } => widget.token_usage().clone(),
+            AppState::Login { .. } | AppState::GitWarning { .. } => {
+                codex_core::protocol::TokenUsage::default()
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     fn draw_next_frame(&mut self, terminal: &mut tui::Tui) -> Result<()> {
         // TODO: add a throttle to avoid redrawing too often
 

codex-rs/tui/src/app_event.rs

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 use codex_core::protocol::Event;
 use codex_file_search::FileMatch;
 use crossterm::event::KeyEvent;
+use ratatui::text::Line;
 
 use crate::slash_command::SlashCommand;
 
@@ -49,4 +50,6 @@ pub(crate) enum AppEvent {
         query: String,
         matches: Vec<FileMatch>,
     },
+
+    InsertHistory(Vec<Line<'static>>),
 }

codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/approval_modal_view.rs

@@ -50,10 +50,6 @@ impl<'a> BottomPaneView<'a> for ApprovalModalView<'a> {
         self.current.is_complete() && self.queue.is_empty()
     }
 
-    fn calculate_required_height(&self, area: &Rect) -> u16 {
-        self.current.get_height(area)
-    }
-
     fn render(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
         (&self.current).render_ref(area, buf);
     }

codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/bottom_pane_view.rs

@@ -22,9 +22,6 @@ pub(crate) trait BottomPaneView<'a> {
         false
     }
 
-    /// Height required to render the view.
-    fn calculate_required_height(&self, area: &Rect) -> u16;
-
     /// Render the view: this will be displayed in place of the composer.
     fn render(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer);
 

codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/chat_composer.rs

@@ -22,11 +22,6 @@ use crate::app_event::AppEvent;
 use crate::app_event_sender::AppEventSender;
 use codex_file_search::FileMatch;
 
-/// Minimum number of visible text rows inside the textarea.
-const MIN_TEXTAREA_ROWS: usize = 1;
-/// Rows consumed by the border.
-const BORDER_LINES: u16 = 2;
-
 const BASE_PLACEHOLDER_TEXT: &str = "send a message";
 /// If the pasted content exceeds this number of characters, replace it with a
 /// placeholder in the UI.
@@ -609,17 +604,6 @@ impl ChatComposer<'_> {
         self.dismissed_file_popup_token = None;
     }
 
-    pub fn calculate_required_height(&self, area: &Rect) -> u16 {
-        let rows = self.textarea.lines().len().max(MIN_TEXTAREA_ROWS);
-        let num_popup_rows = match &self.active_popup {
-            ActivePopup::Command(popup) => popup.calculate_required_height(area),
-            ActivePopup::File(popup) => popup.calculate_required_height(area),
-            ActivePopup::None => 0,
-        };
-
-        rows as u16 + BORDER_LINES + num_popup_rows
-    }
-
     fn update_border(&mut self, has_focus: bool) {
         struct BlockState {
             right_title: Line<'static>,

codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/mod.rs

@@ -65,10 +65,8 @@ impl BottomPane<'_> {
             if !view.is_complete() {
                 self.active_view = Some(view);
             } else if self.is_task_running {
-                let height = self.composer.calculate_required_height(&Rect::default());
                 self.active_view = Some(Box::new(StatusIndicatorView::new(
                     self.app_event_tx.clone(),
-                    height,
                 )));
             }
             self.request_redraw();
@@ -138,10 +136,8 @@ impl BottomPane<'_> {
         match (running, self.active_view.is_some()) {
             (true, false) => {
                 // Show status indicator overlay.
-                let height = self.composer.calculate_required_height(&Rect::default());
                 self.active_view = Some(Box::new(StatusIndicatorView::new(
                     self.app_event_tx.clone(),
-                    height,
                 )));
                 self.request_redraw();
             }
@@ -203,14 +199,6 @@ impl BottomPane<'_> {
     }
 
     /// Height (terminal rows) required by the current bottom pane.
-    pub fn calculate_required_height(&self, area: &Rect) -> u16 {
-        if let Some(view) = &self.active_view {
-            view.calculate_required_height(area)
-        } else {
-            self.composer.calculate_required_height(area)
-        }
-    }
-
     pub(crate) fn request_redraw(&self) {
         self.app_event_tx.send(AppEvent::RequestRedraw)
     }

codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/status_indicator_view.rs

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 use ratatui::buffer::Buffer;
-use ratatui::layout::Rect;
 use ratatui::widgets::WidgetRef;
 
 use crate::app_event_sender::AppEventSender;
@@ -13,9 +12,9 @@ pub(crate) struct StatusIndicatorView {
 }
 
 impl StatusIndicatorView {
-    pub fn new(app_event_tx: AppEventSender, height: u16) -> Self {
+    pub fn new(app_event_tx: AppEventSender) -> Self {
         Self {
-            view: StatusIndicatorWidget::new(app_event_tx, height),
+            view: StatusIndicatorWidget::new(app_event_tx),
         }
     }
 
@@ -34,11 +33,7 @@ impl BottomPaneView<'_> for StatusIndicatorView {
         true
     }
 
-    fn calculate_required_height(&self, _area: &Rect) -> u16 {
+    fn render(&self, area: ratatui::layout::Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.view.get_height()
-    }
-
-    fn render(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
         self.view.render_ref(area, buf);
     }
 }

codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget.rs

@@ -23,9 +23,6 @@ use codex_core::protocol::TaskCompleteEvent;
 use codex_core::protocol::TokenUsage;
 use crossterm::event::KeyEvent;
 use ratatui::buffer::Buffer;
-use ratatui::layout::Constraint;
-use ratatui::layout::Direction;
-use ratatui::layout::Layout;
 use ratatui::layout::Rect;
 use ratatui::widgets::Widget;
 use ratatui::widgets::WidgetRef;
@@ -52,6 +49,9 @@ pub(crate) struct ChatWidget<'a> {
     initial_user_message: Option<UserMessage>,
     token_usage: TokenUsage,
     reasoning_buffer: String,
+    // Buffer for streaming assistant answer text; we do not surface partial
+    // We wait for the final AgentMessage event and then emit the full text
+    // at once into scrollback so the history contains a single message.
     answer_buffer: String,
 }
 
@@ -187,6 +187,13 @@ impl ChatWidget<'_> {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Emits the last entry's plain lines from conversation_history, if any.
+    fn emit_last_history_entry(&mut self) {
+        if let Some(lines) = self.conversation_history.last_entry_plain_lines() {
+            self.app_event_tx.send(AppEvent::InsertHistory(lines));
+        }
+    }
+
     fn submit_user_message(&mut self, user_message: UserMessage) {
         let UserMessage { text, image_paths } = user_message;
         let mut items: Vec<InputItem> = Vec::new();
@@ -220,7 +227,8 @@ impl ChatWidget<'_> {
 
         // Only show text portion in conversation history for now.
         if !text.is_empty() {
-            self.conversation_history.add_user_message(text);
+            self.conversation_history.add_user_message(text.clone());
+            self.emit_last_history_entry();
         }
         self.conversation_history.scroll_to_bottom();
     }
@@ -232,6 +240,10 @@ impl ChatWidget<'_> {
                 // Record session information at the top of the conversation.
                 self.conversation_history
                     .add_session_info(&self.config, event.clone());
+                // Immediately surface the session banner / settings summary in
+                // scrollback so the user can review configuration (model,
+                // sandbox, approvals, etc.) before interacting.
+                self.emit_last_history_entry();
 
                 // Forward history metadata to the bottom pane so the chat
                 // composer can navigate through past messages.
@@ -247,50 +259,50 @@ impl ChatWidget<'_> {
                 self.request_redraw();
             }
             EventMsg::AgentMessage(AgentMessageEvent { message }) => {
-                // if the answer buffer is empty, this means we haven't received any
+                // Final assistant answer. Prefer the fully provided message
-                // delta. Thus, we need to print the message as a new answer.
+                // from the event; if it is empty fall back to any accumulated
-                if self.answer_buffer.is_empty() {
+                // delta buffer (some providers may only stream deltas and send
-                    self.conversation_history
+                // an empty final message).
-                        .add_agent_message(&self.config, message);
+                let full = if message.is_empty() {
+                    std::mem::take(&mut self.answer_buffer)
                 } else {
+                    self.answer_buffer.clear();
+                    message
+                };
+                if !full.is_empty() {
                     self.conversation_history
-                        .replace_prev_agent_message(&self.config, message);
+                        .add_agent_message(&self.config, full);
+                    self.emit_last_history_entry();
                 }
-                self.answer_buffer.clear();
                 self.request_redraw();
             }
             EventMsg::AgentMessageDelta(AgentMessageDeltaEvent { delta }) => {
-                if self.answer_buffer.is_empty() {
+                // Buffer only – do not emit partial lines. This avoids cases
-                    self.conversation_history
+                // where long responses appear truncated if the terminal
-                        .add_agent_message(&self.config, "".to_string());
+                // wrapped early. The full message is emitted on
-                }
+                // AgentMessage.
-                self.answer_buffer.push_str(&delta.clone());
+                self.answer_buffer.push_str(&delta);
-                self.conversation_history
-                    .replace_prev_agent_message(&self.config, self.answer_buffer.clone());
-                self.request_redraw();
             }
             EventMsg::AgentReasoningDelta(AgentReasoningDeltaEvent { delta }) => {
-                if self.reasoning_buffer.is_empty() {
+                // Buffer only – disable incremental reasoning streaming so we
-                    self.conversation_history
+                // avoid truncated intermediate lines. Full text emitted on
-                        .add_agent_reasoning(&self.config, "".to_string());
+                // AgentReasoning.
-                }
+                self.reasoning_buffer.push_str(&delta);
-                self.reasoning_buffer.push_str(&delta.clone());
-                self.conversation_history
-                    .replace_prev_agent_reasoning(&self.config, self.reasoning_buffer.clone());
-                self.request_redraw();
             }
             EventMsg::AgentReasoning(AgentReasoningEvent { text }) => {
-                // if the reasoning buffer is empty, this means we haven't received any
+                // Emit full reasoning text once. Some providers might send
-                // delta. Thus, we need to print the message as a new reasoning.
+                // final event with empty text if only deltas were used.
-                if self.reasoning_buffer.is_empty() {
+                let full = if text.is_empty() {
-                    self.conversation_history
+                    std::mem::take(&mut self.reasoning_buffer)
-                        .add_agent_reasoning(&self.config, "".to_string());
                 } else {
-                    // else, we rerender one last time.
+                    self.reasoning_buffer.clear();
+                    text
+                };
+                if !full.is_empty() {
                     self.conversation_history
-                        .replace_prev_agent_reasoning(&self.config, text);
+                        .add_agent_reasoning(&self.config, full);
+                    self.emit_last_history_entry();
                 }
-                self.reasoning_buffer.clear();
                 self.request_redraw();
             }
             EventMsg::TaskStarted => {
@@ -310,7 +322,8 @@ impl ChatWidget<'_> {
                     .set_token_usage(self.token_usage.clone(), self.config.model_context_window);
             }
             EventMsg::Error(ErrorEvent { message }) => {
-                self.conversation_history.add_error(message);
+                self.conversation_history.add_error(message.clone());
+                self.emit_last_history_entry();
                 self.bottom_pane.set_task_running(false);
             }
             EventMsg::ExecApprovalRequest(ExecApprovalRequestEvent {
@@ -346,6 +359,7 @@ impl ChatWidget<'_> {
 
                 self.conversation_history
                     .add_patch_event(PatchEventType::ApprovalRequest, changes);
+                self.emit_last_history_entry();
 
                 self.conversation_history.scroll_to_bottom();
 
@@ -364,7 +378,8 @@ impl ChatWidget<'_> {
                 cwd: _,
             }) => {
                 self.conversation_history
-                    .reset_or_add_active_exec_command(call_id, command);
+                    .add_active_exec_command(call_id, command);
+                self.emit_last_history_entry();
                 self.request_redraw();
             }
             EventMsg::PatchApplyBegin(PatchApplyBeginEvent {
@@ -376,6 +391,7 @@ impl ChatWidget<'_> {
                 // summary so the user can follow along.
                 self.conversation_history
                     .add_patch_event(PatchEventType::ApplyBegin { auto_approved }, changes);
+                self.emit_last_history_entry();
                 if !auto_approved {
                     self.conversation_history.scroll_to_bottom();
                 }
@@ -399,6 +415,7 @@ impl ChatWidget<'_> {
             }) => {
                 self.conversation_history
                     .add_active_mcp_tool_call(call_id, server, tool, arguments);
+                self.emit_last_history_entry();
                 self.request_redraw();
             }
             EventMsg::McpToolCallEnd(mcp_tool_call_end_event) => {
@@ -425,6 +442,7 @@ impl ChatWidget<'_> {
             event => {
                 self.conversation_history
                     .add_background_event(format!("{event:?}"));
+                self.emit_last_history_entry();
                 self.request_redraw();
             }
         }
@@ -441,7 +459,9 @@ impl ChatWidget<'_> {
     }
 
     pub(crate) fn add_diff_output(&mut self, diff_output: String) {
-        self.conversation_history.add_diff_output(diff_output);
+        self.conversation_history
+            .add_diff_output(diff_output.clone());
+        self.emit_last_history_entry();
         self.request_redraw();
     }
 
@@ -492,19 +512,18 @@ impl ChatWidget<'_> {
             tracing::error!("failed to submit op: {e}");
         }
     }
+
+    pub(crate) fn token_usage(&self) -> &TokenUsage {
+        &self.token_usage
+    }
 }
 
 impl WidgetRef for &ChatWidget<'_> {
     fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        let bottom_height = self.bottom_pane.calculate_required_height(&area);
+        // In the hybrid inline viewport mode we only draw the interactive
-
+        // bottom pane; history entries are injected directly into scrollback
-        let chunks = Layout::default()
+        // via `Terminal::insert_before`.
-            .direction(Direction::Vertical)
+        (&self.bottom_pane).render(area, buf);
-            .constraints([Constraint::Min(0), Constraint::Length(bottom_height)])
-            .split(area);
-
-        self.conversation_history.render(chunks[0], buf);
-        (&self.bottom_pane).render(chunks[1], buf);
     }
 }
 

codex-rs/tui/src/conversation_history_widget.rs

@@ -202,14 +202,6 @@ impl ConversationHistoryWidget {
         self.add_to_history(HistoryCell::new_agent_reasoning(config, text));
     }
 
-    pub fn replace_prev_agent_reasoning(&mut self, config: &Config, text: String) {
-        self.replace_last_agent_reasoning(config, text);
-    }
-
-    pub fn replace_prev_agent_message(&mut self, config: &Config, text: String) {
-        self.replace_last_agent_message(config, text);
-    }
-
     pub fn add_background_event(&mut self, message: String) {
         self.add_to_history(HistoryCell::new_background_event(message));
     }
@@ -235,30 +227,6 @@ impl ConversationHistoryWidget {
         self.add_to_history(HistoryCell::new_active_exec_command(call_id, command));
     }
 
-    /// If an ActiveExecCommand with the same call_id already exists, replace
-    /// it with a fresh one (resetting start time and view). Otherwise, add a new entry.
-    pub fn reset_or_add_active_exec_command(&mut self, call_id: String, command: Vec<String>) {
-        // Find the most recent matching ActiveExecCommand.
-        let maybe_idx = self.entries.iter().rposition(|entry| {
-            if let HistoryCell::ActiveExecCommand { call_id: id, .. } = &entry.cell {
-                id == &call_id
-            } else {
-                false
-            }
-        });
-
-        if let Some(idx) = maybe_idx {
-            let width = self.cached_width.get();
-            self.entries[idx].cell = HistoryCell::new_active_exec_command(call_id.clone(), command);
-            if width > 0 {
-                let height = self.entries[idx].cell.height(width);
-                self.entries[idx].line_count.set(height);
-            }
-        } else {
-            self.add_active_exec_command(call_id, command);
-        }
-    }
-
     pub fn add_active_mcp_tool_call(
         &mut self,
         call_id: String,
@@ -281,40 +249,10 @@ impl ConversationHistoryWidget {
         });
     }
 
-    pub fn replace_last_agent_reasoning(&mut self, config: &Config, text: String) {
+    /// Return the lines for the most recently appended entry (if any) so the
-        if let Some(idx) = self
+    /// parent widget can surface them via the new scrollback insertion path.
-            .entries
+    pub(crate) fn last_entry_plain_lines(&self) -> Option<Vec<Line<'static>>> {
-            .iter()
+        self.entries.last().map(|e| e.cell.plain_lines())
-            .rposition(|entry| matches!(entry.cell, HistoryCell::AgentReasoning { .. }))
-        {
-            let width = self.cached_width.get();
-            let entry = &mut self.entries[idx];
-            entry.cell = HistoryCell::new_agent_reasoning(config, text);
-            let height = if width > 0 {
-                entry.cell.height(width)
-            } else {
-                0
-            };
-            entry.line_count.set(height);
-        }
-    }
-
-    pub fn replace_last_agent_message(&mut self, config: &Config, text: String) {
-        if let Some(idx) = self
-            .entries
-            .iter()
-            .rposition(|entry| matches!(entry.cell, HistoryCell::AgentMessage { .. }))
-        {
-            let width = self.cached_width.get();
-            let entry = &mut self.entries[idx];
-            entry.cell = HistoryCell::new_agent_message(config, text);
-            let height = if width > 0 {
-                entry.cell.height(width)
-            } else {
-                0
-            };
-            entry.line_count.set(height);
-        }
     }
 
     pub fn record_completed_exec_command(

codex-rs/tui/src/history_cell.rs

@@ -123,6 +123,30 @@ pub(crate) enum HistoryCell {
 const TOOL_CALL_MAX_LINES: usize = 5;
 
 impl HistoryCell {
+    /// Return a cloned, plain representation of the cell's lines suitable for
+    /// one‑shot insertion into the terminal scrollback. Image cells are
+    /// represented with a simple placeholder for now.
+    pub(crate) fn plain_lines(&self) -> Vec<Line<'static>> {
+        match self {
+            HistoryCell::WelcomeMessage { view }
+            | HistoryCell::UserPrompt { view }
+            | HistoryCell::AgentMessage { view }
+            | HistoryCell::AgentReasoning { view }
+            | HistoryCell::BackgroundEvent { view }
+            | HistoryCell::GitDiffOutput { view }
+            | HistoryCell::ErrorEvent { view }
+            | HistoryCell::SessionInfo { view }
+            | HistoryCell::CompletedExecCommand { view }
+            | HistoryCell::CompletedMcpToolCall { view }
+            | HistoryCell::PendingPatch { view }
+            | HistoryCell::ActiveExecCommand { view, .. }
+            | HistoryCell::ActiveMcpToolCall { view, .. } => view.lines.clone(),
+            HistoryCell::CompletedMcpToolCallWithImageOutput { .. } => vec![
+                Line::from("tool result (image output omitted)"),
+                Line::from(""),
+            ],
+        }
+    }
     pub(crate) fn new_session_info(
         config: &Config,
         event: SessionConfiguredEvent,

codex-rs/tui/src/insert_history.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,178 @@
+use crate::tui;
+use ratatui::layout::Rect;
+use ratatui::style::Style;
+use ratatui::text::Line;
+use ratatui::text::Span;
+use ratatui::widgets::Paragraph;
+use ratatui::widgets::Widget;
+use unicode_width::UnicodeWidthChar;
+
+/// Insert a batch of history lines into the terminal scrollback above the
+/// inline viewport.
+///
+/// The incoming `lines` are the logical lines supplied by the
+/// `ConversationHistory`. They may contain embedded newlines and arbitrary
+/// runs of whitespace inside individual [`Span`]s. All of that must be
+/// normalised before writing to the backing terminal buffer because the
+/// ratatui [`Paragraph`] widget does not perform soft‑wrapping when used in
+/// conjunction with [`Terminal::insert_before`].
+///
+/// This function performs a minimal wrapping / normalisation pass:
+///
+/// * A terminal width is determined via `Terminal::size()` (falling back to
+///   80 columns if the size probe fails).
+/// * Each logical line is broken into words and whitespace. Consecutive
+///   whitespace is collapsed to a single space; leading whitespace is
+///   discarded.
+/// * Words that do not fit on the current line cause a soft wrap. Extremely
+///   long words (longer than the terminal width) are split character by
+///   character so they still populate the display instead of overflowing the
+///   line.
+/// * Explicit `\n` characters inside a span force a hard line break.
+/// * Empty lines (including a trailing newline at the end of the batch) are
+///   preserved so vertical spacing remains faithful to the logical history.
+///
+/// Finally the physical lines are rendered directly into the terminal's
+/// scrollback region using [`Terminal::insert_before`]. Any backend error is
+/// ignored: failing to insert history is non‑fatal and a subsequent redraw
+/// will eventually repaint a consistent view.
+fn display_width(s: &str) -> usize {
+    s.chars()
+        .map(|c| UnicodeWidthChar::width(c).unwrap_or(0))
+        .sum()
+}
+
+struct LineBuilder {
+    term_width: usize,
+    spans: Vec<Span<'static>>,
+    width: usize,
+}
+
+impl LineBuilder {
+    fn new(term_width: usize) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            term_width,
+            spans: Vec::new(),
+            width: 0,
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn flush_line(&mut self, out: &mut Vec<Line<'static>>) {
+        out.push(Line::from(std::mem::take(&mut self.spans)));
+        self.width = 0;
+    }
+
+    fn push_segment(&mut self, text: String, style: Style) {
+        self.width += display_width(&text);
+        self.spans.push(Span::styled(text, style));
+    }
+
+    fn push_word(&mut self, word: &mut String, style: Style, out: &mut Vec<Line<'static>>) {
+        if word.is_empty() {
+            return;
+        }
+        let w_len = display_width(word);
+        if self.width > 0 && self.width + w_len > self.term_width {
+            self.flush_line(out);
+        }
+        if w_len > self.term_width && self.width == 0 {
+            // Split an overlong word across multiple lines.
+            let mut cur = String::new();
+            let mut cur_w = 0;
+            for ch in word.chars() {
+                let ch_w = UnicodeWidthChar::width(ch).unwrap_or(0);
+                if cur_w + ch_w > self.term_width && cur_w > 0 {
+                    self.push_segment(cur.clone(), style);
+                    self.flush_line(out);
+                    cur.clear();
+                    cur_w = 0;
+                }
+                cur.push(ch);
+                cur_w += ch_w;
+            }
+            if !cur.is_empty() {
+                self.push_segment(cur, style);
+            }
+        } else {
+            self.push_segment(word.clone(), style);
+        }
+        word.clear();
+    }
+
+    fn consume_whitespace(&mut self, ws: &mut String, style: Style, out: &mut Vec<Line<'static>>) {
+        if ws.is_empty() {
+            return;
+        }
+        let space_w = display_width(ws);
+        if self.width > 0 && self.width + space_w > self.term_width {
+            self.flush_line(out);
+        }
+        if self.width > 0 {
+            self.push_segment(" ".to_string(), style);
+        }
+        ws.clear();
+    }
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn insert_history_lines(terminal: &mut tui::Tui, lines: Vec<Line<'static>>) {
+    let term_width = terminal.size().map(|a| a.width).unwrap_or(80) as usize;
+    let mut physical: Vec<Line<'static>> = Vec::new();
+
+    for logical in lines.into_iter() {
+        if logical.spans.is_empty() {
+            physical.push(logical);
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        let mut builder = LineBuilder::new(term_width);
+        let mut buf_space = String::new();
+
+        for span in logical.spans.into_iter() {
+            let style = span.style;
+            let mut buf_word = String::new();
+
+            for ch in span.content.chars() {
+                if ch == '\n' {
+                    builder.push_word(&mut buf_word, style, &mut physical);
+                    buf_space.clear();
+                    builder.flush_line(&mut physical);
+                    continue;
+                }
+                if ch.is_whitespace() {
+                    builder.push_word(&mut buf_word, style, &mut physical);
+                    buf_space.push(ch);
+                } else {
+                    builder.consume_whitespace(&mut buf_space, style, &mut physical);
+                    buf_word.push(ch);
+                }
+                if builder.width >= term_width {
+                    builder.flush_line(&mut physical);
+                }
+            }
+            builder.push_word(&mut buf_word, style, &mut physical);
+            // whitespace intentionally left to allow collapsing across spans
+        }
+        if !builder.spans.is_empty() {
+            physical.push(Line::from(std::mem::take(&mut builder.spans)));
+        } else {
+            // Preserve explicit blank line (e.g. due to a trailing newline).
+            physical.push(Line::from(Vec::<Span<'static>>::new()));
+        }
+    }
+
+    let total = physical.len() as u16;
+    terminal
+        .insert_before(total, |buf| {
+            let width = buf.area.width;
+            for (i, line) in physical.into_iter().enumerate() {
+                let area = Rect {
+                    x: 0,
+                    y: i as u16,
+                    width,
+                    height: 1,
+                };
+                Paragraph::new(line).render(area, buf);
+            }
+        })
+        .ok();
+}

codex-rs/tui/src/lib.rs

@@ -33,10 +33,10 @@ mod file_search;
 mod get_git_diff;
 mod git_warning_screen;
 mod history_cell;
+mod insert_history;
 mod log_layer;
 mod login_screen;
 mod markdown;
-mod mouse_capture;
 mod scroll_event_helper;
 mod slash_command;
 mod status_indicator_widget;
@@ -47,7 +47,10 @@ mod user_approval_widget;
 
 pub use cli::Cli;
 
-pub fn run_main(cli: Cli, codex_linux_sandbox_exe: Option<PathBuf>) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+pub fn run_main(
+    cli: Cli,
+    codex_linux_sandbox_exe: Option<PathBuf>,
+) -> std::io::Result<codex_core::protocol::TokenUsage> {
     let (sandbox_mode, approval_policy) = if cli.full_auto {
         (
             Some(SandboxMode::WorkspaceWrite),
@@ -147,24 +150,8 @@ pub fn run_main(cli: Cli, codex_linux_sandbox_exe: Option<PathBuf>) -> std::io::
     // `--allow-no-git-exec` flag.
     let show_git_warning = !cli.skip_git_repo_check && !is_inside_git_repo(&config);
 
-    try_run_ratatui_app(cli, config, show_login_screen, show_git_warning, log_rx);
+    run_ratatui_app(cli, config, show_login_screen, show_git_warning, log_rx)
-    Ok(())
+        .map_err(|err| std::io::Error::other(err.to_string()))
-}
-
-#[expect(
-    clippy::print_stderr,
-    reason = "Resort to stderr in exceptional situations."
-)]
-fn try_run_ratatui_app(
-    cli: Cli,
-    config: Config,
-    show_login_screen: bool,
-    show_git_warning: bool,
-    log_rx: tokio::sync::mpsc::UnboundedReceiver<String>,
-) {
-    if let Err(report) = run_ratatui_app(cli, config, show_login_screen, show_git_warning, log_rx) {
-        eprintln!("Error: {report:?}");
-    }
 }
 
 fn run_ratatui_app(
@@ -173,16 +160,15 @@ fn run_ratatui_app(
     show_login_screen: bool,
     show_git_warning: bool,
     mut log_rx: tokio::sync::mpsc::UnboundedReceiver<String>,
-) -> color_eyre::Result<()> {
+) -> color_eyre::Result<codex_core::protocol::TokenUsage> {
     color_eyre::install()?;
 
-    // Forward panic reports through the tracing stack so that they appear in
+    // Forward panic reports through tracing so they appear in the UI status
-    // the status indicator instead of breaking the alternate screen – the
+    // line instead of interleaving raw panic output with the interface.
-    // normal colour‑eyre hook writes to stderr which would corrupt the UI.
     std::panic::set_hook(Box::new(|info| {
         tracing::error!("panic: {info}");
     }));
-    let (mut terminal, mut mouse_capture) = tui::init(&config)?;
+    let mut terminal = tui::init(&config)?;
     terminal.clear()?;
 
     let Cli { prompt, images, .. } = cli;
@@ -204,10 +190,12 @@ fn run_ratatui_app(
         });
     }
 
-    let app_result = app.run(&mut terminal, &mut mouse_capture);
+    let app_result = app.run(&mut terminal);
+    let usage = app.token_usage();
 
     restore();
-    app_result
+    // ignore error when collecting usage – report underlying error instead
+    app_result.map(|_| usage)
 }
 
 #[expect(

codex-rs/tui/src/main.rs

@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@ fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
             .config_overrides
             .raw_overrides
             .splice(0..0, top_cli.config_overrides.raw_overrides);
-        run_main(inner, codex_linux_sandbox_exe)?;
+        let usage = run_main(inner, codex_linux_sandbox_exe)?;
+        println!("{}", codex_core::protocol::FinalOutput::from(usage));
         Ok(())
     })
 }

codex-rs/tui/src/mouse_capture.rs

@@ -1,69 +0,0 @@
-use crossterm::event::DisableMouseCapture;
-use crossterm::event::EnableMouseCapture;
-use ratatui::crossterm::execute;
-use std::io::Result;
-use std::io::stdout;
-
-pub(crate) struct MouseCapture {
-    mouse_capture_is_active: bool,
-}
-
-impl MouseCapture {
-    pub(crate) fn new_with_capture(mouse_capture_is_active: bool) -> Result<Self> {
-        if mouse_capture_is_active {
-            enable_capture()?;
-        }
-
-        Ok(Self {
-            mouse_capture_is_active,
-        })
-    }
-}
-
-impl MouseCapture {
-    /// Idempotent method to set the mouse capture state.
-    pub fn set_active(&mut self, is_active: bool) -> Result<()> {
-        match (self.mouse_capture_is_active, is_active) {
-            (true, true) => {}
-            (false, false) => {}
-            (true, false) => {
-                disable_capture()?;
-                self.mouse_capture_is_active = false;
-            }
-            (false, true) => {
-                enable_capture()?;
-                self.mouse_capture_is_active = true;
-            }
-        }
-        Ok(())
-    }
-
-    pub(crate) fn toggle(&mut self) -> Result<()> {
-        self.set_active(!self.mouse_capture_is_active)
-    }
-
-    pub(crate) fn disable(&mut self) -> Result<()> {
-        if self.mouse_capture_is_active {
-            disable_capture()?;
-            self.mouse_capture_is_active = false;
-        }
-        Ok(())
-    }
-}
-
-impl Drop for MouseCapture {
-    fn drop(&mut self) {
-        if self.disable().is_err() {
-            // The user is likely shutting down, so ignore any errors so the
-            // shutdown process can complete.
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-fn enable_capture() -> Result<()> {
-    execute!(stdout(), EnableMouseCapture)
-}
-
-fn disable_capture() -> Result<()> {
-    execute!(stdout(), DisableMouseCapture)
-}

codex-rs/tui/src/slash_command.rs

@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ pub enum SlashCommand {
     New,
     Diff,
     Quit,
-    ToggleMouseMode,
 }
 
 impl SlashCommand {
@@ -23,9 +22,6 @@ impl SlashCommand {
     pub fn description(self) -> &'static str {
         match self {
             SlashCommand::New => "Start a new chat.",
-            SlashCommand::ToggleMouseMode => {
-                "Toggle mouse mode (enable for scrolling, disable for text selection)"
-            }
             SlashCommand::Quit => "Exit the application.",
             SlashCommand::Diff => {
                 "Show git diff of the working directory (including untracked files)"

codex-rs/tui/src/status_indicator_widget.rs

@@ -34,11 +34,6 @@ pub(crate) struct StatusIndicatorWidget {
     /// time).
     text: String,
 
-    /// Height in terminal rows – matches the height of the textarea at the
-    /// moment the task started so the UI does not jump when we toggle between
-    /// input mode and loading mode.
-    height: u16,
-
     frame_idx: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
     running: Arc<AtomicBool>,
     // Keep one sender alive to prevent the channel from closing while the
@@ -50,7 +45,7 @@ pub(crate) struct StatusIndicatorWidget {
 
 impl StatusIndicatorWidget {
     /// Create a new status indicator and start the animation timer.
-    pub(crate) fn new(app_event_tx: AppEventSender, height: u16) -> Self {
+    pub(crate) fn new(app_event_tx: AppEventSender) -> Self {
         let frame_idx = Arc::new(AtomicUsize::new(0));
         let running = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(true));
 
@@ -72,18 +67,12 @@ impl StatusIndicatorWidget {
 
         Self {
             text: String::from("waiting for logs…"),
-            height: height.max(3),
             frame_idx,
             running,
             _app_event_tx: app_event_tx,
         }
     }
 
-    /// Preferred height in terminal rows.
-    pub(crate) fn get_height(&self) -> u16 {
-        self.height
-    }
-
     /// Update the line that is displayed in the widget.
     pub(crate) fn update_text(&mut self, text: String) {
         self.text = text.replace(['\n', '\r'], " ");

codex-rs/tui/src/tui.rs

@@ -4,31 +4,39 @@ use std::io::stdout;
 
 use codex_core::config::Config;
 use crossterm::event::DisableBracketedPaste;
-use crossterm::event::DisableMouseCapture;
 use crossterm::event::EnableBracketedPaste;
 use ratatui::Terminal;
+use ratatui::TerminalOptions;
+use ratatui::Viewport;
 use ratatui::backend::CrosstermBackend;
 use ratatui::crossterm::execute;
-use ratatui::crossterm::terminal::EnterAlternateScreen;
-use ratatui::crossterm::terminal::LeaveAlternateScreen;
 use ratatui::crossterm::terminal::disable_raw_mode;
 use ratatui::crossterm::terminal::enable_raw_mode;
 
-use crate::mouse_capture::MouseCapture;
-
 /// A type alias for the terminal type used in this application
 pub type Tui = Terminal<CrosstermBackend<Stdout>>;
 
-/// Initialize the terminal
+/// Initialize the terminal (inline viewport; history stays in normal scrollback)
-pub fn init(config: &Config) -> Result<(Tui, MouseCapture)> {
+pub fn init(_config: &Config) -> Result<Tui> {
-    execute!(stdout(), EnterAlternateScreen)?;
     execute!(stdout(), EnableBracketedPaste)?;
-    let mouse_capture = MouseCapture::new_with_capture(!config.tui.disable_mouse_capture)?;
 
     enable_raw_mode()?;
     set_panic_hook();
-    let tui = Terminal::new(CrosstermBackend::new(stdout()))?;
+
-    Ok((tui, mouse_capture))
+    // Reserve a fixed number of lines for the interactive viewport (composer,
+    // status, popups). History is injected above using `insert_before`. This
+    // is an initial step of the refactor – later the height can become
+    // dynamic. For now a conservative default keeps enough room for the
+    // multi‑line composer while not occupying the whole screen.
+    const BOTTOM_VIEWPORT_HEIGHT: u16 = 8;
+    let backend = CrosstermBackend::new(stdout());
+    let tui = Terminal::with_options(
+        backend,
+        TerminalOptions {
+            viewport: Viewport::Inline(BOTTOM_VIEWPORT_HEIGHT),
+        },
+    )?;
+    Ok(tui)
 }
 
 fn set_panic_hook() {
@@ -41,14 +49,7 @@ fn set_panic_hook() {
 
 /// Restore the terminal to its original state
 pub fn restore() -> Result<()> {
-    // We are shutting down, and we cannot reference the `MouseCapture`, so we
-    // categorically disable mouse capture just to be safe.
-    if execute!(stdout(), DisableMouseCapture).is_err() {
-        // It is possible that `DisableMouseCapture` is written more than once
-        // on shutdown, so ignore the error in this case.
-    }
     execute!(stdout(), DisableBracketedPaste)?;
-    execute!(stdout(), LeaveAlternateScreen)?;
     disable_raw_mode()?;
     Ok(())
 }

codex-rs/tui/src/user_approval_widget.rs

@@ -116,10 +116,6 @@ pub(crate) struct UserApprovalWidget<'a> {
     done: bool,
 }
 
-// Number of lines automatically added by ratatui’s [`Block`] when
-// borders are enabled (one at the top, one at the bottom).
-const BORDER_LINES: u16 = 2;
-
 impl UserApprovalWidget<'_> {
     pub(crate) fn new(approval_request: ApprovalRequest, app_event_tx: AppEventSender) -> Self {
         let input = Input::default();
@@ -190,28 +186,6 @@ impl UserApprovalWidget<'_> {
         }
     }
 
-    pub(crate) fn get_height(&self, area: &Rect) -> u16 {
-        let confirmation_prompt_height =
-            self.get_confirmation_prompt_height(area.width - BORDER_LINES);
-
-        match self.mode {
-            Mode::Select => {
-                let num_option_lines = SELECT_OPTIONS.len() as u16;
-                confirmation_prompt_height + num_option_lines + BORDER_LINES
-            }
-            Mode::Input => {
-                //   1. "Give the model feedback ..." prompt
-                //   2. A single‑line input field (we allocate exactly one row;
-                //      the `tui-input` widget will scroll horizontally if the
-                //      text exceeds the width).
-                const INPUT_PROMPT_LINES: u16 = 1;
-                const INPUT_FIELD_LINES: u16 = 1;
-
-                confirmation_prompt_height + INPUT_PROMPT_LINES + INPUT_FIELD_LINES + BORDER_LINES
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
     fn get_confirmation_prompt_height(&self, width: u16) -> u16 {
         // Should cache this for last value of width.
         self.confirmation_prompt.line_count(width) as u16
@@ -333,7 +307,32 @@ impl WidgetRef for &UserApprovalWidget<'_> {
             .borders(Borders::ALL)
             .border_type(BorderType::Rounded);
         let inner = outer.inner(area);
-        let prompt_height = self.get_confirmation_prompt_height(inner.width);
+
+        // Determine how many rows we can allocate for the static confirmation
+        // prompt while *always* keeping enough space for the interactive
+        // response area (select list or input field). When the full prompt
+        // would exceed the available height we truncate it so the response
+        // options never get pushed out of view. This keeps the approval modal
+        // usable even when the overall bottom viewport is small.
+
+        // Full height of the prompt (may be larger than the available area).
+        let full_prompt_height = self.get_confirmation_prompt_height(inner.width);
+
+        // Minimum rows that must remain for the interactive section.
+        let min_response_rows = match self.mode {
+            Mode::Select => SELECT_OPTIONS.len() as u16,
+            // In input mode we need exactly two rows: one for the guidance
+            // prompt and one for the single-line input field.
+            Mode::Input => 2,
+        };
+
+        // Clamp prompt height so confirmation + response never exceed the
+        // available space. `saturating_sub` avoids underflow when the area is
+        // too small even for the minimal layout – in this unlikely case we
+        // fall back to zero-height prompt so at least the options are
+        // visible.
+        let prompt_height = full_prompt_height.min(inner.height.saturating_sub(min_response_rows));
+
         let chunks = Layout::default()
             .direction(Direction::Vertical)
             .constraints([Constraint::Length(prompt_height), Constraint::Min(0)])
@@ -342,8 +341,7 @@ impl WidgetRef for &UserApprovalWidget<'_> {
         let response_chunk = chunks[1];
 
         // Build the inner lines based on the mode. Collect them into a List of
-        // non-wrapping lines rather than a Paragraph because get_height(Rect)
+        // non-wrapping lines rather than a Paragraph for predictable layout.
-        // depends on this behavior for its calculation.
         let lines = match self.mode {
             Mode::Select => SELECT_OPTIONS
                 .iter()