Improve mobile dispatch and transcript logs

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -6,6 +6,29 @@ The format follows [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/).
 
 ---
 
+## [Unreleased]
+
+### Added
+
+- Mobile task dispatcher on the dashboard for fast task submission to local coding agents
+- Visible agent selection in the quick dispatch card so tasks can be routed to different agents intentionally
+- Full transcript reader with paginated history, scrollback loading, and timestamped session output
+- Session loading panel that appears immediately after launch so users see progress before terminal output arrives
+
+### Changed
+
+- Dashboard layout now prioritizes live sessions and reduces top-level copy for a cleaner mobile control surface
+- Quick dispatch now opens the live terminal first, while logs remain a secondary transcript view
+- Session details are tucked behind a `Details` action instead of competing with the primary live views
+- Mirror/live session UX now reflects CloudCode-managed sessions and uses `Live Sessions` terminology
+
+### Fixed
+
+- Transcript capture now starts at session creation time and avoids duplicate writes from websocket fallback paths
+- Repeated terminal redraw noise is deduplicated before it reaches the transcript reader
+- Logs now start from the beginning of a session by default instead of only showing the current terminal screen
+- Background transcript append failures are logged with session context instead of being swallowed silently
+
 ## [0.1.6] — 2026-03-18
 
 ### Fixed

README.md

@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ Start an agent on your laptop, walk away, and check in from your phone or tablet
 ## Why CloudCode?
 
 - **Agent agnostic:** Works with Claude Code, Gemini CLI, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot CLI, or any CLI tool.
-- **Readable logs:** Intercepts raw terminal output and renders it as formatted Markdown — easier to read on mobile.
+- **Task launch:** Start tasks instantly from your mobile dashboard without opening a full terminal. CloudCode defaults to your recent projects and drops you into the live session view.
+- **Transcript logs:** Shows the full session output in a scrollable, timestamped transcript view.
 - **QR code pairing:** Scan a QR code from your terminal to authenticate your phone. No passwords or SSH keys.
 - **Persistent sessions:** Sessions run inside `tmux`. Your agent keeps working if your laptop sleeps or your connection drops. Reconnect and pick up where you left off.
 - **Flexible networking:** Works on local Wi-Fi, over Tailscale (private network), or via Cloudflare Tunnels (no port-forwarding needed).
@@ -114,6 +115,18 @@ cloudcode run claude-code --rc --tunnel
 cloudcode run custom --command "npx some-ai-tool" --rc
 ```
 
+### Send vs create
+
+Use the dashboard `Send` box when you want the fastest path:
+- It uses your recent agent and workspace defaults.
+- It creates a background session automatically.
+- It opens the live terminal first.
+
+Use `Create` when you want full control:
+- Pick the exact agent profile.
+- Choose the workspace or worktree deliberately.
+- Set a title and startup prompt before launch.
+
 ---
 
 ## Architecture
@@ -162,4 +175,3 @@ Built by Alex Chao (@alexchaomander). Find me on my socials!
 · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexchao56/)
 · [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@alexchaomander)
 · [Substack](https://alexchao.substack.com/)
-

backend/src/app.test.ts

@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ vi.mock('./tmux/adapter.js', () => ({
   hasSession: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(true),
   listSessions: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
   capturePane: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue('test output'),
+  capturePaneHistory: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue('history output'),
+  setHistoryLimit: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
   resizeWindow: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
 }));
 

backend/src/sessions/service.ts

@@ -6,12 +6,13 @@ import { execFileSync } from 'node:child_process';
 import { db } from '../db/index.js';
 import { logAudit } from '../audit/service.js';
 import * as tmux from '../tmux/adapter.js';
-import { deleteTranscript, initTranscript } from '../terminal/transcript-store.js';
+import { sidecarManager, type SidecarStreamHandle } from '../terminal/sidecar-manager.js';
+import { appendTranscript, deleteTranscript, initTranscript } from '../terminal/transcript-store.js';
 import { validateWorkdir } from '../utils/paths.js';
 import type { AgentProfile, Session } from '../db/schema.js';
+import { hasPromptMarker } from './startup-ready.js';
 
 const INITIAL_STARTUP_INPUT_DELAY_MS = parseInt(process.env.INITIAL_STARTUP_INPUT_DELAY_MS ?? '1600', 10);
-const FOLLOWUP_STARTUP_INPUT_DELAY_MS = parseInt(process.env.FOLLOWUP_STARTUP_INPUT_DELAY_MS ?? '700', 10);
 const STARTUP_READY_TIMEOUT_MS = parseInt(process.env.STARTUP_READY_TIMEOUT_MS ?? '12000', 10);
 const STARTUP_READY_POLL_MS = parseInt(process.env.STARTUP_READY_POLL_MS ?? '250', 10);
 
@@ -46,68 +47,64 @@ async function sendStartupLine(sessionName: string, text: string): Promise<void>
   await tmux.sendEnter(sessionName);
 }
 
-function getStartupReadyPatterns(profile: AgentProfile): string[] {
-  const slug = profile.slug.toLowerCase();
+const transcriptRecorders = new Map<string, SidecarStreamHandle>();
 
-  if (slug === 'gemini-cli') {
-    return [
-      'type your message or @path/to/file',
-      '? for shortcuts',
-      '/model auto',
-    ];
-  }
+export function hasTranscriptRecorder(sessionId: string): boolean {
+  return transcriptRecorders.has(sessionId);
+}
 
-  if (slug === 'claude-code') {
-    return [
-      '? for shortcuts',
-      'try "',
-      'shift+tab to accept edits',
-    ];
-  }
+async function startTranscriptRecorder(sessionId: string, sessionName: string): Promise<void> {
+  if (transcriptRecorders.has(sessionId)) return;
 
-  if (slug === 'openai-codex') {
-    return [
-      '? for shortcuts',
-      'type your message',
-      'shift+tab to accept edits',
-    ];
-  }
+  const recorder = await sidecarManager.openStream(sessionName, 160, 48, {
+    onOutput: ({ text }) => {
+      void appendTranscript(sessionId, text).catch((err) => {
+        console.error(`Failed to append transcript for session ${sessionId}:`, err)
+      })
+    },
+    onExit: () => {
+      transcriptRecorders.delete(sessionId);
+    },
+    onError: () => {
+      transcriptRecorders.delete(sessionId);
+    },
+  });
 
-  if (slug === 'github-copilot-cli') {
-    return [
-      'type your message',
-      '? for shortcuts',
-    ];
-  }
+  transcriptRecorders.set(sessionId, recorder);
+}
 
-  return ['type your message', '? for shortcuts', '> '];
+async function stopTranscriptRecorder(sessionId: string): Promise<void> {
+  const recorder = transcriptRecorders.get(sessionId);
+  if (!recorder) return;
+  transcriptRecorders.delete(sessionId);
+  await recorder.close().catch(() => {});
 }
 
-function hasPromptMarker(content: string, patterns: string[]): boolean {
-  const normalized = content.toLowerCase();
-  if (patterns.some((pattern) => normalized.includes(pattern.toLowerCase()))) {
-    return true;
+async function backfillTranscriptSnapshot(sessionId: string, sessionName: string): Promise<void> {
+  if (typeof tmux.capturePaneHistory !== 'function' || typeof tmux.capturePane !== 'function') {
+    return;
   }
 
-  const lines = normalized
-    .split('\n')
-    .map((line) => line.trim())
-    .filter(Boolean);
+  const [historyOutput, currentOutput] = await Promise.all([
+    tmux.capturePaneHistory(sessionName),
+    tmux.capturePane(sessionName),
+  ]);
+
+  const snapshot = [historyOutput, currentOutput].filter(Boolean).join('\n').trim();
+  if (!snapshot) return;
 
-  const lastLine = lines.at(-1) ?? '';
-  return ['>', '❯', '$', '#'].includes(lastLine);
+  await appendTranscript(sessionId, snapshot);
 }
 
-async function waitForStartupReady(sessionName: string, profile: AgentProfile): Promise<void> {
+async function waitForStartupReady(sessionName: string, _profile: AgentProfile): Promise<void> {
   const deadline = Date.now() + STARTUP_READY_TIMEOUT_MS;
-  const patterns = getStartupReadyPatterns(profile);
   let sawOutput = false;
 
   while (Date.now() < deadline) {
     const content = await tmux.capturePane(sessionName);
     if (content.trim()) {
       sawOutput = true;
-      if (hasPromptMarker(content, patterns)) {
+      if (hasPromptMarker(content)) {
         return;
       }
     }
@@ -353,17 +350,23 @@ export async function createSession(params: CreateSessionParams): Promise<Sessio
       Object.keys(env).length > 0 ? env : undefined
     );
 
+    if (typeof tmux.setHistoryLimit === 'function') {
+      await tmux.setHistoryLimit(tmuxSessionName, 100000).catch(() => {});
+    }
+
+    await backfillTranscriptSnapshot(id, tmuxSessionName);
+    await startTranscriptRecorder(id, tmuxSessionName).catch((err) => {
+      // Transcript recording is best-effort; session creation should still succeed.
+      console.warn('Failed to start transcript recorder', err);
+    });
+
     if (profile.startup_template) {
       await waitForStartupReady(tmuxSessionName, profile);
       await sendStartupLine(tmuxSessionName, profile.startup_template);
     }
 
     if (startupPrompt) {
-      if (profile.startup_template) {
-        await sleep(FOLLOWUP_STARTUP_INPUT_DELAY_MS);
-      } else {
-        await waitForStartupReady(tmuxSessionName, profile);
-      }
+      await waitForStartupReady(tmuxSessionName, profile);
       await sendStartupLine(tmuxSessionName, startupPrompt);
     }
 
@@ -423,6 +426,7 @@ export async function killSession(id: string, userId: string): Promise<void> {
   if (!exited) {
     throw new Error(`Failed to terminate tmux session: ${session.tmux_session_name}`);
   }
+  await stopTranscriptRecorder(session.id);
 
   const now = new Date().toISOString();
   db.prepare(`UPDATE sessions SET status = 'stopped', stopped_at = ?, updated_at = ? WHERE id = ?`).run(now, now, id);
@@ -439,6 +443,8 @@ export async function deleteSession(id: string, userId: string): Promise<void> {
   const session = db.prepare('SELECT * FROM sessions WHERE id = ?').get(id) as (Session & { worktree_path: string | null }) | undefined;
   if (!session) throw new Error(`Session not found: ${id}`);
 
+  await stopTranscriptRecorder(session.id);
+
   const exists = await tmux.hasSession(session.tmux_session_name);
   if (exists) {
     await tmux.killSession(session.tmux_session_name);

backend/src/sessions/startup-ready.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+import { hasPromptMarker } from './startup-ready.js';
+
+describe('hasPromptMarker', () => {
+  it('ignores help text that appears before the actual prompt', () => {
+    const content = [
+      'Welcome to Gemini CLI',
+      'type your message or @path/to/file',
+      '? for shortcuts',
+      '',
+    ].join('\n');
+
+    expect(hasPromptMarker(content)).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('detects a ready prompt on the last line', () => {
+    expect(hasPromptMarker('> ')).toBe(true);
+    expect(hasPromptMarker('❯ ')).toBe(true);
+    expect(hasPromptMarker('> Refactor the login flow')).toBe(true);
+  });
+});

backend/src/sessions/startup-ready.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+export function hasPromptMarker(content: string): boolean {
+  const lines = content
+    .split('\n')
+    .map((line) => line.replace(/\u001b\[[0-9;]*[A-Za-z]/g, '').trimEnd())
+    .filter(Boolean);
+
+  const lastLine = lines.at(-1)?.trim() ?? '';
+  if (!lastLine) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  if (/^[>❯$#]\s*$/.test(lastLine)) {
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  if (/^[>❯$#]\s+\S+/.test(lastLine)) {
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  return false;
+}

backend/src/terminal/mirror-routes.ts

@@ -1,15 +1,14 @@
 import type { FastifyPluginAsync } from 'fastify';
-import { listSessions } from '../tmux/adapter.js';
 import { requireAuth } from '../auth/middleware.js';
+import { listSessions } from '../sessions/service.js';
 
 const mirrorRoutes: FastifyPluginAsync = async (fastify) => {
-  // GET /api/v1/terminal/tmux-sessions - list all active tmux sessions for mirroring
+  // GET /api/v1/terminal/tmux-sessions - list CloudCode-managed live sessions for mirroring
   fastify.get('/api/v1/terminal/tmux-sessions', { preHandler: requireAuth }, async (request, reply) => {
     try {
-      const sessions = await listSessions();
-      // Filter out CloudCode-managed sessions if we want a clean "Mirror" list, 
-      // but showing all is more powerful for "Remote Control"
-      return reply.send(sessions);
+      const sessions = listSessions();
+      const filteredSessions = sessions.filter((session) => session.status === 'running' || session.status === 'starting');
+      return reply.send(filteredSessions);
     } catch (err) {
       fastify.log.error(err);
       return reply.status(500).send({ error: 'Internal Server Error', message: 'Failed to list tmux sessions' });

backend/src/terminal/readable-transcript.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+import { formatReadableTranscript } from './readable-transcript.js';
+
+describe('formatReadableTranscript', () => {
+  it('preserves markdown structure and strips terminal chrome', () => {
+    const raw = [
+      'cc-12345/projects/demo',
+      'IMPLEMENTATION PLAN',
+      '- Update the login flow',
+      '- Add tests',
+      '',
+      'const answer = 42',
+      'console.log(answer)',
+      '',
+      'DONE',
+    ].join('\n');
+
+    const formatted = formatReadableTranscript(raw);
+
+    expect(formatted).toContain('## IMPLEMENTATION PLAN');
+    expect(formatted).toContain('- Update the login flow');
+    expect(formatted).toContain('- Add tests');
+    expect(formatted).toContain('```text');
+    expect(formatted).toContain('const answer = 42');
+    expect(formatted).toContain('console.log(answer)');
+    expect(formatted).toContain('## DONE');
+    expect(formatted).not.toContain('cc-12345');
+  });
+});