Merge pull request #171 from VooDisss/codenomad/issue-136

fix(ui): improve picker deletion, ESC cancel, and SHIFT+ENTER path handling

.github/workflows/dev-release.yml

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-name: Dev CI
+name: Develop Pre-Release
 
 on:
   push:
@@ -7,12 +7,35 @@ on:
   workflow_dispatch:
 
 permissions:
-  contents: read
+  id-token: write
+  contents: write
+
+concurrency:
+  group: dev-prerelease
+  cancel-in-progress: true
 
 jobs:
-  dev-ci:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/build-and-upload.yml
+  prepare:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      version_suffix: ${{ steps.vars.outputs.version_suffix }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Compute version suffix
+        id: vars
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          SHA8="${GITHUB_SHA::8}"
+          DATE=$(date -u +%Y%m%d)
+          echo "version_suffix=-dev-${DATE}-${SHA8}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
+  prerelease:
+    needs: prepare
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable-release.yml
     with:
-      upload: false
-      set_versions: false
+      version_suffix: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.version_suffix }}
+      npm_package_name: "@neuralnomads/codenomad-dev"
+      dist_tag: latest
+      prerelease: true
+      release_ui: false
     secrets: inherit

.github/workflows/manual-npm-publish.yml

@@ -12,6 +12,11 @@ on:
         required: false
         default: dev
         type: string
+      package_name:
+        description: "Package name to publish (e.g. @neuralnomads/codenomad-dev)"
+        required: false
+        default: "@neuralnomads/codenomad"
+        type: string
   workflow_call:
     inputs:
       version:
@@ -21,6 +26,13 @@ on:
         required: false
         type: string
         default: dev
+      package_name:
+        required: false
+        type: string
+        default: "@neuralnomads/codenomad"
+    secrets:
+      NPM_TOKEN:
+        required: false
 
 permissions:
   contents: read
@@ -51,7 +63,7 @@ jobs:
         run: npm install @rollup/rollup-linux-x64-gnu --no-save
 
       - name: Build server package (includes UI bundling)
-        run: npm run build --workspace @neuralnomads/codenomad
+        run: npm run build --workspace packages/server
 
       - name: Set publish metadata
         shell: bash
@@ -62,13 +74,31 @@ jobs:
           fi
           echo "VERSION=$VERSION_INPUT" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
           echo "DIST_TAG=${{ inputs.dist_tag || 'dev' }}" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+          echo "PACKAGE_NAME=${{ inputs.package_name }}" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
 
       - name: Bump package version for publish
         run: npm version ${VERSION} --workspaces --include-workspace-root --no-git-tag-version --allow-same-version
 
+      - name: Set server package name for publish
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          node -e "const fs=require('fs'); const path=require('path'); const p=path.join('packages','server','package.json'); const j=JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(p,'utf8')); j.name=process.env.PACKAGE_NAME || j.name; fs.writeFileSync(p, JSON.stringify(j, null, 2)+'\n'); console.log('Publishing as', j.name);"
+
       - name: Publish server package with provenance
         env:
+          # Optional: when present, npm will use token auth.
+          # When empty/unset, npm trusted publishing (OIDC) may be used if configured.
+          NODE_AUTH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
           NPM_CONFIG_PROVENANCE: true
           NPM_CONFIG_REGISTRY: https://registry.npmjs.org
+        shell: bash
         run: |
-          npm publish --workspace @neuralnomads/codenomad --access public --tag ${DIST_TAG} --provenance
+          set -euo pipefail
+          if [ -z "${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN:-}" ]; then
+            echo "NPM_TOKEN not set; attempting npm trusted publishing (OIDC)"
+            unset NODE_AUTH_TOKEN
+          else
+            echo "Using NPM_TOKEN authentication"
+          fi
+          npm publish --workspace packages/server --access public --tag ${DIST_TAG} --provenance

.github/workflows/release.yml

@@ -14,4 +14,5 @@ jobs:
     uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable-release.yml
     with:
       dist_tag: latest
+      npm_package_name: "@neuralnomads/codenomad"
     secrets: inherit

.github/workflows/reusable-release.yml

@@ -13,6 +13,21 @@ on:
         required: false
         default: dev
         type: string
+      npm_package_name:
+        description: "npm package name to publish (defaults to server package name)"
+        required: false
+        default: ""
+        type: string
+      prerelease:
+        description: "Create GitHub prerelease"
+        required: false
+        default: false
+        type: boolean
+      release_ui:
+        description: "Publish remote UI + manifest"
+        required: false
+        default: true
+        type: boolean
 
 permissions:
   id-token: write
@@ -53,11 +68,16 @@ jobs:
         env:
           GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           TAG: ${{ steps.versions.outputs.tag }}
+          IS_PRERELEASE: ${{ inputs.prerelease }}
         run: |
           if gh release view "$TAG" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
             echo "Release $TAG already exists"
           else
-            gh release create "$TAG" --title "$TAG" --generate-notes
+            if [ "${IS_PRERELEASE}" = "true" ]; then
+              gh release create "$TAG" --title "$TAG" --generate-notes --prerelease
+            else
+              gh release create "$TAG" --title "$TAG" --generate-notes
+            fi
           fi
 
   build-and-upload:
@@ -71,6 +91,7 @@ jobs:
 
   release-ui:
     needs: prepare-release
+    if: ${{ inputs.release_ui }}
     permissions:
       contents: read
     uses: ./.github/workflows/release-ui.yml
@@ -84,4 +105,5 @@ jobs:
     with:
       version: ${{ needs.prepare-release.outputs.version }}
       dist_tag: ${{ inputs.dist_tag }}
+      package_name: ${{ inputs.npm_package_name }}
     secrets: inherit

README.md

@@ -47,9 +47,14 @@ npx @neuralnomads/codenomad --launch
 For dev version
 
 ```bash
-npx @neuralnomads/codenomad@dev --launch
+npx @neuralnomads/codenomad-dev --launch
 ```
 
+Dev builds are published as GitHub pre-releases:
+https://github.com/shantur/CodeNomad/releases
+
+Dev releases are bleeding-edge builds, generated automatically every time a new commit is pushed to the `dev` branch.
+
 This command starts the server and opens the web client in your default browser.
 
 ## Highlights

package-lock.json

@@ -11879,6 +11879,21 @@
       "dev": true,
       "license": "ISC"
     },
+    "node_modules/yaml": {
+      "version": "2.8.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/yaml/-/yaml-2.8.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-mplynKqc1C2hTVYxd0PU2xQAc22TI1vShAYGksCCfxbn/dFwnHTNi1bvYsBTkhdUNtGIf5xNOg938rrSSYvS9A==",
+      "license": "ISC",
+      "bin": {
+        "yaml": "bin.mjs"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">= 14.6"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/eemeli"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/yargs": {
       "version": "17.7.2",
       "dev": true,
@@ -11974,7 +11989,8 @@
       "license": "MIT",
       "dependencies": {
         "@codenomad/ui": "file:../ui",
-        "@neuralnomads/codenomad": "file:../server"
+        "@neuralnomads/codenomad": "file:../server",
+        "yaml": "^2.4.2"
       },
       "devDependencies": {
         "7zip-bin": "^5.2.0",
@@ -12017,6 +12033,7 @@
         "node-forge": "^1.3.3",
         "pino": "^9.4.0",
         "undici": "^6.19.8",
+        "yaml": "^2.4.2",
         "yauzl": "^2.10.0",
         "zod": "^3.23.8"
       },

packages/electron-app/electron/main/process-manager.ts

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { EventEmitter } from "events"
 import { existsSync, readFileSync } from "fs"
 import os from "os"
 import path from "path"
+import { parse as parseYaml } from "yaml"
 import { buildUserShellCommand, getUserShellEnv, supportsUserShell } from "./user-shell"
 
 const nodeRequire = createRequire(import.meta.url)
@@ -39,6 +40,36 @@ interface CliEntryResolution {
 
 const DEFAULT_CONFIG_PATH = "~/.config/codenomad/config.json"
 
+function isYamlPath(filePath: string): boolean {
+  const lower = filePath.toLowerCase()
+  return lower.endsWith(".yaml") || lower.endsWith(".yml")
+}
+
+function isJsonPath(filePath: string): boolean {
+  return filePath.toLowerCase().endsWith(".json")
+}
+
+function resolveConfigPaths(raw?: string): { configYamlPath: string; legacyJsonPath: string } {
+  const target = raw && raw.trim().length > 0 ? raw.trim() : DEFAULT_CONFIG_PATH
+  const resolved = resolveConfigPath(target)
+
+  if (isYamlPath(resolved)) {
+    const baseDir = path.dirname(resolved)
+    return { configYamlPath: resolved, legacyJsonPath: path.join(baseDir, "config.json") }
+  }
+
+  if (isJsonPath(resolved)) {
+    const baseDir = path.dirname(resolved)
+    return { configYamlPath: path.join(baseDir, "config.yaml"), legacyJsonPath: resolved }
+  }
+
+  // Treat as directory.
+  return {
+    configYamlPath: path.join(resolved, "config.yaml"),
+    legacyJsonPath: path.join(resolved, "config.json"),
+  }
+}
+
 function resolveConfigPath(configPath?: string): string {
   const target = configPath && configPath.trim().length > 0 ? configPath : DEFAULT_CONFIG_PATH
   if (target.startsWith("~/")) {
@@ -53,10 +84,19 @@ function resolveHostForMode(mode: ListeningMode): string {
 
 function readListeningModeFromConfig(): ListeningMode {
   try {
-    const configPath = resolveConfigPath(process.env.CLI_CONFIG)
-    if (!existsSync(configPath)) return "local"
-    const content = readFileSync(configPath, "utf-8")
-    const parsed = JSON.parse(content)
+    const { configYamlPath, legacyJsonPath } = resolveConfigPaths(process.env.CLI_CONFIG)
+
+    let parsed: any = null
+    if (existsSync(configYamlPath)) {
+      const content = readFileSync(configYamlPath, "utf-8")
+      parsed = parseYaml(content)
+    } else if (existsSync(legacyJsonPath)) {
+      const content = readFileSync(legacyJsonPath, "utf-8")
+      parsed = JSON.parse(content)
+    } else {
+      return "local"
+    }
+
     const mode = parsed?.preferences?.listeningMode
     if (mode === "local" || mode === "all") {
       return mode

packages/electron-app/package.json

@@ -36,7 +36,8 @@
   },
   "dependencies": {
     "@neuralnomads/codenomad": "file:../server",
-    "@codenomad/ui": "file:../ui"
+    "@codenomad/ui": "file:../ui",
+    "yaml": "^2.4.2"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "7zip-bin": "^5.2.0",

packages/server/.gitignore

@@ -1 +1,4 @@
 public/
+
+# Local developer config (may contain secrets)
+config-*.json

packages/server/package.json

@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
     "node-forge": "^1.3.3",
     "pino": "^9.4.0",
     "undici": "^6.19.8",
+    "yaml": "^2.4.2",
     "yauzl": "^2.10.0",
     "zod": "^3.23.8"
   },

packages/server/src/api-types.ts

@@ -286,6 +286,8 @@ export interface ServerMeta {
   serverVersion?: string
   ui?: UiMeta
   support?: SupportMeta
+  /** Optional update info (dev channel only). */
+  update?: LatestReleaseInfo | null
 }
 
 export type BackgroundProcessStatus = "running" | "stopped" | "error"

packages/server/src/config/location.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+import os from "os"
+import path from "path"
+
+export interface ConfigLocation {
+  /** Resolved absolute base directory containing all persisted server data. */
+  baseDir: string
+  /** Canonical YAML config file path (may be custom when input points to a YAML file). */
+  configYamlPath: string
+  /** Canonical YAML state file path (always in baseDir). */
+  stateYamlPath: string
+  /** Legacy JSON config file path used for migration (always in baseDir, or explicit JSON input). */
+  legacyJsonPath: string
+  /** Directory for per-instance persisted data (chat history etc.). */
+  instancesDir: string
+}
+
+function resolvePath(inputPath: string): string {
+  if (inputPath.startsWith("~/")) {
+    return path.join(os.homedir(), inputPath.slice(2))
+  }
+  return path.resolve(inputPath)
+}
+
+function isYamlPath(filePath: string): boolean {
+  const lower = filePath.toLowerCase()
+  return lower.endsWith(".yaml") || lower.endsWith(".yml")
+}
+
+function isJsonPath(filePath: string): boolean {
+  return filePath.toLowerCase().endsWith(".json")
+}
+
+/**
+ * Resolve CodeNomad's config location into a stable base directory + derived file paths.
+ *
+ * Supported inputs:
+ * - Directory: "~/.config/codenomad"
+ * - YAML file: "~/.config/codenomad/config.yaml" (or any *.yml/*.yaml)
+ * - Legacy JSON file: "~/.config/codenomad/config.json"
+ */
+export function resolveConfigLocation(raw: string): ConfigLocation {
+  const trimmed = (raw ?? "").trim()
+  const fallback = "~/.config/codenomad/config.json"
+  const input = trimmed.length > 0 ? trimmed : fallback
+
+  const resolvedInput = resolvePath(input)
+
+  if (isYamlPath(resolvedInput)) {
+    const baseDir = path.dirname(resolvedInput)
+    return {
+      baseDir,
+      configYamlPath: resolvedInput,
+      stateYamlPath: path.join(baseDir, "state.yaml"),
+      legacyJsonPath: path.join(baseDir, "config.json"),
+      instancesDir: path.join(baseDir, "instances"),
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (isJsonPath(resolvedInput)) {
+    const baseDir = path.dirname(resolvedInput)
+    return {
+      baseDir,
+      configYamlPath: path.join(baseDir, "config.yaml"),
+      stateYamlPath: path.join(baseDir, "state.yaml"),
+      legacyJsonPath: resolvedInput,
+      instancesDir: path.join(baseDir, "instances"),
+    }
+  }
+
+  const baseDir = resolvedInput
+  return {
+    baseDir,
+    configYamlPath: path.join(baseDir, "config.yaml"),
+    stateYamlPath: path.join(baseDir, "state.yaml"),
+    legacyJsonPath: path.join(baseDir, "config.json"),
+    instancesDir: path.join(baseDir, "instances"),
+  }
+}

packages/server/src/config/schema.ts

@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ const ModelPreferenceSchema = z.object({
 const AgentModelSelectionSchema = z.record(z.string(), ModelPreferenceSchema)
 const AgentModelSelectionsSchema = z.record(z.string(), AgentModelSelectionSchema)
 
-const PreferencesSchema = z.object({
+const PreferencesSchema = z
+  .object({
   showThinkingBlocks: z.boolean().default(false),
   thinkingBlocksExpansion: z.enum(["expanded", "collapsed"]).default("expanded"),
   showTimelineTools: z.boolean().default(true),
@@ -31,7 +32,9 @@ const PreferencesSchema = z.object({
   osNotificationsAllowWhenVisible: z.boolean().default(false),
   notifyOnNeedsInput: z.boolean().default(true),
   notifyOnIdle: z.boolean().default(true),
-})
+  })
+  // Preserve unknown preference keys so newer configs survive older binaries.
+  .passthrough()
 
 const RecentFolderSchema = z.object({
   path: z.string(),
@@ -45,14 +48,35 @@ const OpenCodeBinarySchema = z.object({
   label: z.string().optional(),
 })
 
-const ConfigFileSchema = z.object({
-  preferences: PreferencesSchema.default({}),
-  recentFolders: z.array(RecentFolderSchema).default([]),
-  opencodeBinaries: z.array(OpenCodeBinarySchema).default([]),
-  theme: z.enum(["light", "dark", "system"]).optional(),
-})
+const ConfigFileSchema = z
+  .object({
+    preferences: PreferencesSchema.default({}),
+    recentFolders: z.array(RecentFolderSchema).default([]),
+    opencodeBinaries: z.array(OpenCodeBinarySchema).default([]),
+    theme: z.enum(["light", "dark", "system"]).optional(),
+  })
+  // Preserve unknown top-level keys so optional future features survive downgrades.
+  .passthrough()
+
+// On-disk config.yaml only stores stable configuration (not volatile state like recent folders).
+const ConfigYamlSchema = z
+  .object({
+    preferences: PreferencesSchema.default({}),
+    opencodeBinaries: z.array(OpenCodeBinarySchema).default([]),
+    theme: z.enum(["light", "dark", "system"]).optional(),
+  })
+  .passthrough()
+
+// On-disk state.yaml stores server-scoped mutable state (per-server, not per-client).
+const StateFileSchema = z
+  .object({
+    recentFolders: z.array(RecentFolderSchema).default([]),
+  })
+  .passthrough()
 
 const DEFAULT_CONFIG = ConfigFileSchema.parse({})
+const DEFAULT_CONFIG_YAML = ConfigYamlSchema.parse({})
+const DEFAULT_STATE = StateFileSchema.parse({})
 
 export {
   ModelPreferenceSchema,
@@ -62,7 +86,11 @@ export {
   RecentFolderSchema,
   OpenCodeBinarySchema,
   ConfigFileSchema,
+  ConfigYamlSchema,
+  StateFileSchema,
   DEFAULT_CONFIG,
+  DEFAULT_CONFIG_YAML,
+  DEFAULT_STATE,
 }
 
 export type ModelPreference = z.infer<typeof ModelPreferenceSchema>
@@ -72,3 +100,5 @@ export type Preferences = z.infer<typeof PreferencesSchema>
 export type RecentFolder = z.infer<typeof RecentFolderSchema>
 export type OpenCodeBinary = z.infer<typeof OpenCodeBinarySchema>
 export type ConfigFile = z.infer<typeof ConfigFileSchema>
+export type ConfigYamlFile = z.infer<typeof ConfigYamlSchema>
+export type StateFile = z.infer<typeof StateFileSchema>

packages/server/src/config/store.ts

@@ -1,15 +1,27 @@
 import fs from "fs"
 import path from "path"
+import { parse as parseYaml, stringify as stringifyYaml } from "yaml"
 import { EventBus } from "../events/bus"
 import { Logger } from "../logger"
-import { ConfigFile, ConfigFileSchema, DEFAULT_CONFIG } from "./schema"
+import {
+  ConfigFile,
+  ConfigFileSchema,
+  ConfigYamlSchema,
+  DEFAULT_CONFIG,
+  DEFAULT_CONFIG_YAML,
+  DEFAULT_STATE,
+  StateFile,
+  StateFileSchema,
+} from "./schema"
+import type { ConfigLocation } from "./location"
 
 export class ConfigStore {
   private cache: ConfigFile = DEFAULT_CONFIG
+  private state: StateFile = DEFAULT_STATE
   private loaded = false
 
   constructor(
-    private readonly configPath: string,
+    private readonly location: ConfigLocation,
     private readonly eventBus: EventBus | undefined,
     private readonly logger: Logger,
   ) {}
@@ -20,19 +32,37 @@ export class ConfigStore {
     }
 
     try {
-      const resolved = this.resolvePath(this.configPath)
-      if (fs.existsSync(resolved)) {
-        const content = fs.readFileSync(resolved, "utf-8")
-        const parsed = JSON.parse(content)
-        this.cache = ConfigFileSchema.parse(parsed)
-        this.logger.debug({ resolved }, "Loaded existing config file")
+      const configYamlPath = this.location.configYamlPath
+      const stateYamlPath = this.location.stateYamlPath
+      const legacyJsonPath = this.location.legacyJsonPath
+
+      if (fs.existsSync(configYamlPath)) {
+        const configDoc = this.readYamlFile(configYamlPath, DEFAULT_CONFIG_YAML, ConfigYamlSchema, "config")
+        const stateDoc = fs.existsSync(stateYamlPath)
+          ? this.readYamlFile(stateYamlPath, DEFAULT_STATE, StateFileSchema, "state")
+          : DEFAULT_STATE
+
+        this.state = stateDoc
+        this.cache = this.mergeDocs(configDoc, stateDoc)
+        this.logger.debug({ configYamlPath, stateYamlPath }, "Loaded existing YAML config/state")
+      } else if (fs.existsSync(legacyJsonPath)) {
+        const migrated = this.migrateFromLegacyJson(legacyJsonPath)
+        this.state = migrated.state
+        this.cache = migrated.config
       } else {
-        this.cache = DEFAULT_CONFIG
-        this.logger.debug({ resolved }, "No config file found, using defaults")
+        // Fresh install: write defaults.
+        this.state = DEFAULT_STATE
+        this.cache = this.mergeDocs(DEFAULT_CONFIG_YAML, DEFAULT_STATE)
+        this.persist()
+        this.logger.debug(
+          { configYamlPath, stateYamlPath },
+          "No config files found, created default YAML config/state",
+        )
       }
     } catch (error) {
-      this.logger.warn({ err: error }, "Failed to load config, using defaults")
-      this.cache = DEFAULT_CONFIG
+      this.logger.warn({ err: error }, "Failed to load config/state, using defaults")
+      this.state = DEFAULT_STATE
+      this.cache = this.mergeDocs(DEFAULT_CONFIG_YAML, DEFAULT_STATE)
     }
 
     this.loaded = true
@@ -48,9 +78,30 @@ export class ConfigStore {
     this.commit(validated)
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Apply a merge-patch update to the current config.
+   * - Missing keys are preserved.
+   * - Object values are merged recursively.
+   * - Explicit `null` deletes keys.
+   * - Arrays are replaced.
+   */
+  mergePatch(patch: unknown) {
+    if (!patch || typeof patch !== "object" || Array.isArray(patch)) {
+      throw new Error("Config patch must be a JSON object")
+    }
+    const current = this.get()
+    const next = applyMergePatch(current as any, patch as any)
+    const validated = ConfigFileSchema.parse(next)
+    this.commit(validated)
+  }
+
   private commit(next: ConfigFile) {
     this.cache = next
     this.loaded = true
+    this.state = {
+      ...this.state,
+      recentFolders: next.recentFolders,
+    }
     this.persist()
     const published = Boolean(this.eventBus)
     this.eventBus?.publish({ type: "config.appChanged", config: this.cache })
@@ -60,19 +111,134 @@ export class ConfigStore {
 
   private persist() {
     try {
-      const resolved = this.resolvePath(this.configPath)
-      fs.mkdirSync(path.dirname(resolved), { recursive: true })
-      fs.writeFileSync(resolved, JSON.stringify(this.cache, null, 2), "utf-8")
-      this.logger.debug({ resolved }, "Persisted config file")
+      const configYamlPath = this.location.configYamlPath
+      const stateYamlPath = this.location.stateYamlPath
+
+      fs.mkdirSync(this.location.baseDir, { recursive: true })
+      fs.mkdirSync(path.dirname(configYamlPath), { recursive: true })
+
+      const configYaml = stringifyYaml(stripRecentFolders(this.cache) as any)
+      const stateYaml = stringifyYaml(this.state as any)
+
+      fs.writeFileSync(configYamlPath, ensureTrailingNewline(configYaml), "utf-8")
+      fs.writeFileSync(stateYamlPath, ensureTrailingNewline(stateYaml), "utf-8")
+
+      this.logger.debug({ configYamlPath, stateYamlPath }, "Persisted YAML config/state")
     } catch (error) {
       this.logger.warn({ err: error }, "Failed to persist config")
     }
   }
 
-  private resolvePath(filePath: string) {
-    if (filePath.startsWith("~/")) {
-      return path.join(process.env.HOME ?? "", filePath.slice(2))
+  private mergeDocs(configDoc: unknown, stateDoc: StateFile): ConfigFile {
+    const merged = {
+      ...(configDoc as any),
+      // State wins for recent folders.
+      recentFolders: stateDoc.recentFolders ?? [],
     }
-    return path.resolve(filePath)
+
+    return ConfigFileSchema.parse(merged)
+  }
+
+  private readYamlFile<T>(
+    filePath: string,
+    fallback: T,
+    schema: { parse: (value: unknown) => T },
+    label: string,
+  ): T {
+    try {
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(filePath, "utf-8")
+      const parsed = parseYaml(content)
+      return schema.parse(parsed ?? {})
+    } catch (error) {
+      this.logger.warn({ err: error, filePath, label }, "Failed to read YAML file, using defaults")
+      return fallback
+    }
+  }
+
+  private migrateFromLegacyJson(legacyJsonPath: string): { config: ConfigFile; state: StateFile } {
+    const configYamlPath = this.location.configYamlPath
+    const stateYamlPath = this.location.stateYamlPath
+
+    const content = fs.readFileSync(legacyJsonPath, "utf-8")
+    const parsed = JSON.parse(content)
+    const legacy = ConfigFileSchema.parse(parsed)
+
+    const state: StateFile = StateFileSchema.parse({
+      ...DEFAULT_STATE,
+      recentFolders: legacy.recentFolders ?? [],
+    })
+
+    const merged = this.mergeDocs(stripRecentFolders(legacy), state)
+
+    // Persist YAML docs first, then move legacy aside.
+    try {
+      fs.mkdirSync(this.location.baseDir, { recursive: true })
+      fs.writeFileSync(configYamlPath, ensureTrailingNewline(stringifyYaml(stripRecentFolders(merged) as any)), "utf-8")
+      fs.writeFileSync(stateYamlPath, ensureTrailingNewline(stringifyYaml(state as any)), "utf-8")
+      this.logger.info({ legacyJsonPath, configYamlPath, stateYamlPath }, "Migrated config.json -> YAML")
+    } catch (error) {
+      this.logger.warn({ err: error }, "Failed to persist migrated YAML config/state")
+    }
+
+    try {
+      const bakPath = pickBackupPath(legacyJsonPath)
+      fs.renameSync(legacyJsonPath, bakPath)
+      this.logger.info({ legacyJsonPath, bakPath }, "Moved legacy config.json to backup")
+    } catch (error) {
+      this.logger.warn({ err: error, legacyJsonPath }, "Failed to rename legacy config.json to backup")
+    }
+
+    return { config: merged, state }
   }
 }
+
+function ensureTrailingNewline(content: string): string {
+  if (!content) return "\n"
+  return content.endsWith("\n") ? content : `${content}\n`
+}
+
+function stripRecentFolders(config: ConfigFile): Omit<ConfigFile, "recentFolders"> & Record<string, unknown> {
+  const clone: Record<string, unknown> = { ...(config as any) }
+  delete clone.recentFolders
+  return clone as any
+}
+
+function isPlainObject(value: unknown): value is Record<string, unknown> {
+  if (!value || typeof value !== "object") return false
+  if (Array.isArray(value)) return false
+  const proto = Object.getPrototypeOf(value)
+  return proto === Object.prototype || proto === null
+}
+
+function applyMergePatch(current: any, patch: any): any {
+  // RFC 7396-ish merge patch with explicit null deletes.
+  if (!isPlainObject(patch)) {
+    return patch
+  }
+
+  const base = isPlainObject(current) ? { ...current } : {}
+  for (const [key, value] of Object.entries(patch)) {
+    if (value === null) {
+      delete base[key]
+      continue
+    }
+
+    if (isPlainObject(value) && isPlainObject(base[key])) {
+      base[key] = applyMergePatch(base[key], value)
+      continue
+    }
+
+    // Arrays and scalars replace.
+    base[key] = value
+  }
+  return base
+}
+
+function pickBackupPath(legacyJsonPath: string): string {
+  const base = legacyJsonPath.endsWith(".json") ? legacyJsonPath.slice(0, -".json".length) : legacyJsonPath
+  const preferred = `${base}.json.bak`
+  if (!fs.existsSync(preferred)) {
+    return preferred
+  }
+  return `${base}.json.bak.${Date.now()}`
+}

packages/server/src/index.ts

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import { createRequire } from "module"
 import { createHttpServer } from "./server/http-server"
 import { WorkspaceManager } from "./workspaces/manager"
 import { ConfigStore } from "./config/store"
+import { resolveConfigLocation } from "./config/location"
 import { BinaryRegistry } from "./config/binaries"
 import { FileSystemBrowser } from "./filesystem/browser"
 import { EventBus } from "./events/bus"
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@ import { resolveUi } from "./ui/remote-ui"
 import { AuthManager, BOOTSTRAP_TOKEN_STDOUT_PREFIX, DEFAULT_AUTH_USERNAME } from "./auth/manager"
 import { resolveHttpsOptions } from "./server/tls"
 import { resolveNetworkAddresses } from "./server/network-addresses"
+import { startDevReleaseMonitor } from "./releases/dev-release-monitor"
 
 const require = createRequire(import.meta.url)
 
@@ -210,13 +212,6 @@ function resolveHost(input: string | undefined): string {
   return trimmed
 }
 
-function resolvePath(filePath: string) {
-  if (filePath.startsWith("~/")) {
-    return path.join(process.env.HOME ?? "", filePath.slice(2))
-  }
-  return path.resolve(filePath)
-}
-
 function programHasArg(argv: string[], flag: string): boolean {
   return argv.includes(flag)
 }
@@ -245,7 +240,8 @@ async function main() {
 
   const isLoopbackHost = (host: string) => host === "127.0.0.1" || host === "::1" || host.startsWith("127.")
 
-  const configDir = path.dirname(resolvePath(options.configPath))
+  const configLocation = resolveConfigLocation(options.configPath)
+  const configDir = configLocation.baseDir
 
   if ((options.tlsKeyPath && !options.tlsCertPath) || (!options.tlsKeyPath && options.tlsCertPath)) {
     throw new InvalidArgumentError("--tls-key and --tls-cert must be provided together")
@@ -266,7 +262,7 @@ async function main() {
 
   const authManager = new AuthManager(
     {
-      configPath: options.configPath,
+      configPath: configLocation.configYamlPath,
       username: options.authUsername,
       password: options.authPassword,
       generateToken: options.generateToken,
@@ -295,7 +291,16 @@ async function main() {
 
   const nodeExtraCaCertsPath = !options.http ? tlsResolution?.caCertPath : undefined
 
-  const configStore = new ConfigStore(options.configPath, eventBus, configLogger)
+  const configStore = new ConfigStore(configLocation, eventBus, configLogger)
+
+  // Eagerly load config at boot so migrations run immediately
+  // (instead of waiting for the first /api/config request).
+  try {
+    configStore.get()
+  } catch (error) {
+    configLogger.warn({ err: error }, "Failed to load config at boot; continuing with defaults")
+  }
+
   const binaryRegistry = new BinaryRegistry(configStore, eventBus, configLogger)
   const workspaceManager = new WorkspaceManager({
     rootDir: options.rootDir,
@@ -307,7 +312,7 @@ async function main() {
     nodeExtraCaCertsPath,
   })
   const fileSystemBrowser = new FileSystemBrowser({ rootDir: options.rootDir, unrestricted: options.unrestrictedRoot })
-  const instanceStore = new InstanceStore()
+  const instanceStore = new InstanceStore(configLocation.instancesDir)
   const instanceEventBridge = new InstanceEventBridge({
     workspaceManager,
     eventBus,
@@ -344,6 +349,21 @@ async function main() {
     minServerVersion: uiResolution.minServerVersion,
   }
 
+  const updateChannel = (process.env.CODENOMAD_UPDATE_CHANNEL ?? "").trim().toLowerCase()
+  const githubRepo = (process.env.CODENOMAD_GITHUB_REPO ?? "NeuralNomadsAI/CodeNomad").trim()
+  const isDevVersion = packageJson.version.includes("-dev.") || packageJson.version.includes("-dev-")
+  const enableDevUpdateChecks = updateChannel === "dev" || (updateChannel === "" && isDevVersion)
+  const devReleaseMonitor = enableDevUpdateChecks
+    ? startDevReleaseMonitor({
+        currentVersion: packageJson.version,
+        repo: githubRepo,
+        logger: logger.child({ component: "updates" }),
+        onUpdate: (release) => {
+          serverMeta.update = release
+        },
+      })
+    : null
+
   if (uiResolution.uiDevServerUrl && options.https) {
     throw new InvalidArgumentError("UI dev proxy is only supported with --https=false --http=true")
   }
@@ -503,6 +523,8 @@ async function main() {
 
     // no-op: remote UI manifest replaces GitHub release monitor
 
+    devReleaseMonitor?.stop()
+
     logger.info("Exiting process")
     process.exit(0)
   }

packages/server/src/releases/dev-release-monitor.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+import { fetch } from "undici"
+import type { LatestReleaseInfo } from "../api-types"
+import type { Logger } from "../logger"
+import { compareVersionStrings, stripTagPrefix } from "./release-monitor"
+
+interface DevReleaseMonitorOptions {
+  /** Current running server version (from package.json). */
+  currentVersion: string
+  /** GitHub repo in the form "owner/name". */
+  repo: string
+  logger: Logger
+  onUpdate: (release: LatestReleaseInfo | null) => void
+  pollIntervalMs?: number
+}
+
+interface GithubReleaseListItem {
+  tag_name?: string
+  name?: string
+  html_url?: string
+  body?: string
+  published_at?: string
+  created_at?: string
+  prerelease?: boolean
+  draft?: boolean
+}
+
+export interface DevReleaseMonitor {
+  stop(): void
+}
+
+const DEFAULT_POLL_INTERVAL_MS = 15 * 60 * 1000
+
+export function startDevReleaseMonitor(options: DevReleaseMonitorOptions): DevReleaseMonitor {
+  let stopped = false
+  let timer: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null = null
+
+  const pollIntervalMs =
+    Number.isFinite(options.pollIntervalMs) && (options.pollIntervalMs ?? 0) > 0
+      ? (options.pollIntervalMs as number)
+      : DEFAULT_POLL_INTERVAL_MS
+
+  const refresh = async () => {
+    if (stopped) return
+    try {
+      const release = await fetchLatestPrerelease({
+        repo: options.repo,
+        currentVersion: options.currentVersion,
+      })
+      options.onUpdate(release)
+    } catch (error) {
+      options.logger.debug({ err: error }, "Failed to refresh dev prerelease information")
+    }
+  }
+
+  void refresh()
+  timer = setInterval(() => void refresh(), pollIntervalMs)
+
+  return {
+    stop() {
+      stopped = true
+      if (timer) {
+        clearInterval(timer)
+        timer = null
+      }
+    },
+  }
+}
+
+async function fetchLatestPrerelease(args: {
+  repo: string
+  currentVersion: string
+}): Promise<LatestReleaseInfo | null> {
+  const normalizedRepo = args.repo.trim()
+  if (!/^[^/\s]+\/[^/\s]+$/.test(normalizedRepo)) {
+    throw new Error(`Invalid GitHub repo: ${args.repo}`)
+  }
+
+  const apiUrl = `https://api.github.com/repos/${normalizedRepo}/releases?per_page=20`
+  const response = await fetch(apiUrl, {
+    headers: {
+      Accept: "application/vnd.github+json",
+      "User-Agent": "CodeNomad-CLI",
+    },
+  })
+
+  if (!response.ok) {
+    throw new Error(`GitHub releases API responded with ${response.status}`)
+  }
+
+  const list = (await response.json()) as GithubReleaseListItem[]
+  const latest = list.find((r) => r && r.prerelease === true && r.draft !== true)
+  if (!latest) {
+    return null
+  }
+
+  const tag = latest.tag_name || latest.name
+  if (!tag) {
+    return null
+  }
+
+  const normalizedVersion = stripTagPrefix(tag)
+  if (!normalizedVersion) {
+    return null
+  }
+
+  if (compareVersionStrings(normalizedVersion, args.currentVersion) <= 0) {
+    return null
+  }
+
+  return {
+    version: normalizedVersion,
+    tag,
+    url: latest.html_url ?? `https://github.com/${normalizedRepo}/releases/tag/${encodeURIComponent(tag)}`,
+    channel: "dev",
+    publishedAt: latest.published_at ?? latest.created_at,
+    notes: latest.body,
+  }
+}

packages/server/src/releases/release-monitor.ts

@@ -52,6 +52,12 @@ export function startReleaseMonitor(options: ReleaseMonitorOptions): ReleaseMoni
   }
 }
 
+export function compareVersionStrings(a: string, b: string): number {
+  const left = parseVersion(a)
+  const right = parseVersion(b)
+  return compareVersions(left, right)
+}
+
 async function fetchLatestRelease(options: ReleaseMonitorOptions): Promise<LatestReleaseInfo | null> {
   const response = await fetch(RELEASES_API_URL, {
     headers: {
@@ -92,7 +98,7 @@ async function fetchLatestRelease(options: ReleaseMonitorOptions): Promise<Lates
   }
 }
 
-function stripTagPrefix(tag: string | undefined): string | null {
+export function stripTagPrefix(tag: string | undefined): string | null {
   if (!tag) return null
   const trimmed = tag.trim()
   if (!trimmed) return null
@@ -101,7 +107,9 @@ function stripTagPrefix(tag: string | undefined): string | null {
 
 function parseVersion(value: string): NormalizedVersion {
   const normalized = stripTagPrefix(value) ?? "0.0.0"
-  const [core, prerelease = null] = normalized.split("-", 2)
+  const dashIndex = normalized.indexOf("-")
+  const core = dashIndex >= 0 ? normalized.slice(0, dashIndex) : normalized
+  const prerelease = dashIndex >= 0 ? normalized.slice(dashIndex + 1) : null
   const [major = 0, minor = 0, patch = 0] = core.split(".").map((segment) => {
     const parsed = Number.parseInt(segment, 10)
     return Number.isFinite(parsed) ? parsed : 0

packages/server/src/server/routes/config.ts

@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ import { FastifyInstance } from "fastify"
 import { z } from "zod"
 import { ConfigStore } from "../../config/store"
 import { BinaryRegistry } from "../../config/binaries"
-import { ConfigFileSchema } from "../../config/schema"
 
 interface RouteDeps {
   configStore: ConfigStore
@@ -27,10 +26,25 @@ const BinaryValidateSchema = z.object({
 export function registerConfigRoutes(app: FastifyInstance, deps: RouteDeps) {
   app.get("/api/config/app", async () => deps.configStore.get())
 
-  app.put("/api/config/app", async (request) => {
-    const body = ConfigFileSchema.parse(request.body ?? {})
-    deps.configStore.replace(body)
-    return deps.configStore.get()
+  app.put("/api/config/app", async (request, reply) => {
+    // Backwards compatible: treat PUT as a merge-patch update.
+    try {
+      deps.configStore.mergePatch(request.body ?? {})
+      return deps.configStore.get()
+    } catch (error) {
+      reply.code(400)
+      return { error: error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Invalid config patch" }
+    }
+  })
+
+  app.patch("/api/config/app", async (request, reply) => {
+    try {
+      deps.configStore.mergePatch(request.body ?? {})
+      return deps.configStore.get()
+    } catch (error) {
+      reply.code(400)
+      return { error: error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Invalid config patch" }
+    }
   })
 
   app.get("/api/config/binaries", async () => {

packages/tauri-app/Cargo.lock

@@ -636,6 +636,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "regex",
  "serde",
  "serde_json",
+ "serde_yaml",
  "tauri",
  "tauri-build",
  "tauri-plugin-dialog",
@@ -3894,6 +3895,19 @@ dependencies = [
  "syn 2.0.110",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "serde_yaml"
+version = "0.9.34+deprecated"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "6a8b1a1a2ebf674015cc02edccce75287f1a0130d394307b36743c2f5d504b47"
+dependencies = [
+ "indexmap 2.12.1",
+ "itoa",
+ "ryu",
+ "serde",
+ "unsafe-libyaml",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "serialize-to-javascript"
 version = "0.1.2"
@@ -5015,6 +5029,12 @@ version = "1.12.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "f6ccf251212114b54433ec949fd6a7841275f9ada20dddd2f29e9ceea4501493"
 
+[[package]]
+name = "unsafe-libyaml"
+version = "0.2.11"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "673aac59facbab8a9007c7f6108d11f63b603f7cabff99fabf650fea5c32b861"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "url"
 version = "2.5.7"

packages/tauri-app/src-tauri/Cargo.toml

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ tauri-build = { version = "2.5.2", features = [] }
 tauri = { version = "2.5.2", features = [ "devtools"] }
 serde = { version = "1", features = ["derive"] }
 serde_json = "1"
+serde_yaml = "0.9"
 regex = "1"
 once_cell = "1"
 parking_lot = "0.12"

packages/tauri-app/src-tauri/src/cli_manager.rs

@@ -145,12 +145,33 @@ struct AppConfig {
     preferences: Option<PreferencesConfig>,
 }
 
-fn resolve_config_path() -> PathBuf {
+fn resolve_config_locations() -> (PathBuf, PathBuf) {
     let raw = env::var("CLI_CONFIG")
         .ok()
         .filter(|value| !value.trim().is_empty())
         .unwrap_or_else(|| DEFAULT_CONFIG_PATH.to_string());
-    expand_home(&raw)
+
+    let expanded = expand_home(&raw);
+    let lower = raw.trim().to_lowercase();
+
+    if lower.ends_with(".yaml") || lower.ends_with(".yml") {
+        let base = expanded
+            .parent()
+            .map(|p| p.to_path_buf())
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| expanded.clone());
+        return (expanded, base.join("config.json"));
+    }
+
+    if lower.ends_with(".json") {
+        let base = expanded
+            .parent()
+            .map(|p| p.to_path_buf())
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| expanded.clone());
+        return (base.join("config.yaml"), expanded);
+    }
+
+    // Treat as directory.
+    (expanded.join("config.yaml"), expanded.join("config.json"))
 }
 
 fn expand_home(path: &str) -> PathBuf {
@@ -163,8 +184,27 @@ fn expand_home(path: &str) -> PathBuf {
 }
 
 fn resolve_listening_mode() -> String {
-    let path = resolve_config_path();
-    if let Ok(content) = fs::read_to_string(path) {
+    let (yaml_path, json_path) = resolve_config_locations();
+
+    if let Ok(content) = fs::read_to_string(&yaml_path) {
+        if let Ok(config) = serde_yaml::from_str::<AppConfig>(&content) {
+            if let Some(mode) = config
+                .preferences
+                .as_ref()
+                .and_then(|prefs| prefs.listening_mode.as_ref())
+            {
+                if mode == "local" {
+                    return "local".to_string();
+                }
+                if mode == "all" {
+                    return "all".to_string();
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Legacy fallback.
+    if let Ok(content) = fs::read_to_string(&json_path) {
         if let Ok(config) = serde_json::from_str::<AppConfig>(&content) {
             if let Some(mode) = config
                 .preferences
@@ -260,7 +300,14 @@ impl CliProcessManager {
         let ready_flag = self.ready.clone();
         let token_arc = self.bootstrap_token.clone();
         thread::spawn(move || {
-            if let Err(err) = Self::spawn_cli(app.clone(), status_arc.clone(), child_arc, ready_flag, token_arc, dev) {
+            if let Err(err) = Self::spawn_cli(
+                app.clone(),
+                status_arc.clone(),
+                child_arc,
+                ready_flag,
+                token_arc,
+                dev,
+            ) {
                 log_line(&format!("cli spawn failed: {err}"));
                 let mut locked = status_arc.lock();
                 locked.state = CliState::Error;
@@ -369,7 +416,9 @@ impl CliProcessManager {
 
         if !supports_user_shell() {
             if which::which(&resolution.node_binary).is_err() {
-                return Err(anyhow::anyhow!("Node binary not found. Make sure Node.js is installed."));
+                return Err(anyhow::anyhow!(
+                    "Node binary not found. Make sure Node.js is installed."
+                ));
             }
         }
 
@@ -420,7 +469,6 @@ impl CliProcessManager {
         let token_clone = bootstrap_token.clone();
 
         thread::spawn(move || {
-
             let stdout = child_clone
                 .lock()
                 .as_mut()
@@ -433,10 +481,24 @@ impl CliProcessManager {
                 .map(BufReader::new);
 
             if let Some(reader) = stdout {
-                Self::process_stream(reader, "stdout", &app_clone, &status_clone, &ready_clone, &token_clone);
+                Self::process_stream(
+                    reader,
+                    "stdout",
+                    &app_clone,
+                    &status_clone,
+                    &ready_clone,
+                    &token_clone,
+                );
             }
             if let Some(reader) = stderr {
-                Self::process_stream(reader, "stderr", &app_clone, &status_clone, &ready_clone, &token_clone);
+                Self::process_stream(
+                    reader,
+                    "stderr",
+                    &app_clone,
+                    &status_clone,
+                    &ready_clone,
+                    &token_clone,
+                );
             }
         });
 
@@ -509,8 +571,14 @@ impl CliProcessManager {
                 if locked.error.is_none() {
                     locked.error = err_msg.clone();
                 }
-                log_line(&format!("cli process exited before ready: {:?}", locked.error));
-                let _ = app_clone.emit("cli:error", json!({"message": locked.error.clone().unwrap_or_default()}));
+                log_line(&format!(
+                    "cli process exited before ready: {:?}",
+                    locked.error
+                ));
+                let _ = app_clone.emit(
+                    "cli:error",
+                    json!({"message": locked.error.clone().unwrap_or_default()}),
+                );
             } else {
                 locked.state = CliState::Stopped;
                 log_line("cli process stopped cleanly");
@@ -574,13 +642,25 @@ impl CliProcessManager {
                                 .and_then(|re| re.captures(line).and_then(|c| c.get(1)))
                                 .and_then(|m| m.as_str().parse::<u16>().ok())
                             {
-                                Self::mark_ready(app, status, ready, bootstrap_token, format!("http://localhost:{port}"));
+                                Self::mark_ready(
+                                    app,
+                                    status,
+                                    ready,
+                                    bootstrap_token,
+                                    format!("http://localhost:{port}"),
+                                );
                                 continue;
                             }
 
                             if let Ok(value) = serde_json::from_str::<serde_json::Value>(line) {
                                 if let Some(port) = value.get("port").and_then(|p| p.as_u64()) {
-                                    Self::mark_ready(app, status, ready, bootstrap_token, format!("http://localhost:{}", port));
+                                    Self::mark_ready(
+                                        app,
+                                        status,
+                                        ready,
+                                        bootstrap_token,
+                                        format!("http://localhost:{}", port),
+                                    );
                                     continue;
                                 }
                             }
@@ -719,7 +799,12 @@ impl CliEntry {
     }
 
     fn build_args(&self, dev: bool, host: &str) -> Vec<String> {
-        let mut args = vec!["serve".to_string(), "--host".to_string(), host.to_string(), "--generate-token".to_string()];
+        let mut args = vec![
+            "serve".to_string(),
+            "--host".to_string(),
+            host.to_string(),
+            "--generate-token".to_string(),
+        ];
 
         if dev {
             // Dev: plain HTTP + Vite dev server proxy.
@@ -761,9 +846,10 @@ fn resolve_tsx(_app: &AppHandle) -> Option<String> {
         std::env::current_dir()
             .ok()
             .map(|p| p.join("node_modules/tsx/dist/cli.js")),
-        std::env::current_exe()
-            .ok()
-            .and_then(|ex| ex.parent().map(|p| p.join("../node_modules/tsx/dist/cli.js"))),
+        std::env::current_exe().ok().and_then(|ex| {
+            ex.parent()
+                .map(|p| p.join("../node_modules/tsx/dist/cli.js"))
+        }),
     ];
 
     first_existing(candidates)
@@ -786,7 +872,8 @@ fn resolve_dist_entry(_app: &AppHandle) -> Option<String> {
     let base = workspace_root();
     let mut candidates: Vec<Option<PathBuf>> = vec![
         base.as_ref().map(|p| p.join("packages/server/dist/bin.js")),
-        base.as_ref().map(|p| p.join("packages/server/dist/index.js")),
+        base.as_ref()
+            .map(|p| p.join("packages/server/dist/index.js")),
         base.as_ref().map(|p| p.join("server/dist/bin.js")),
         base.as_ref().map(|p| p.join("server/dist/index.js")),
     ];
@@ -801,7 +888,9 @@ fn resolve_dist_entry(_app: &AppHandle) -> Option<String> {
             candidates.push(Some(resources.join("resources/server/dist/bin.js")));
             candidates.push(Some(resources.join("resources/server/dist/index.js")));
             candidates.push(Some(resources.join("resources/server/dist/server/bin.js")));
-            candidates.push(Some(resources.join("resources/server/dist/server/index.js")));
+            candidates.push(Some(
+                resources.join("resources/server/dist/server/index.js"),
+            ));
 
             let linux_resource_roots = [dir.join("../lib/CodeNomad"), dir.join("../lib/codenomad")];
             for root in linux_resource_roots {
@@ -820,8 +909,10 @@ fn resolve_dist_entry(_app: &AppHandle) -> Option<String> {
     first_existing(candidates)
 }
 
-fn build_shell_command_string(entry: &CliEntry, cli_args: &[String]) -> anyhow::Result<ShellCommand> {
-
+fn build_shell_command_string(
+    entry: &CliEntry,
+    cli_args: &[String],
+) -> anyhow::Result<ShellCommand> {
     let shell = default_shell();
     let mut quoted: Vec<String> = Vec::new();
     quoted.push(shell_escape(&entry.node_binary));
@@ -852,7 +943,7 @@ fn shell_escape(input: &str) -> String {
         "''".to_string()
     } else if !input
         .chars()
-        .any(|c| matches!(c, ' ' | '"' | '\'' | '$' | '`' | '!' ))
+        .any(|c| matches!(c, ' ' | '"' | '\'' | '$' | '`' | '!'))
     {
         input.to_string()
     } else {

packages/ui/src/components/hint-row.tsx

@@ -3,10 +3,15 @@ import { Component, JSX } from "solid-js"
 interface HintRowProps {
   children: JSX.Element
   class?: string
+  ariaHidden?: boolean
 }
 
 const HintRow: Component<HintRowProps> = (props) => {
-  return <span class={`text-xs text-muted ${props.class || ""}`}>{props.children}</span>
+  return (
+    <span aria-hidden={props.ariaHidden} class={`text-xs text-muted ${props.class || ""}`}>
+      {props.children}
+    </span>
+  )
 }
 
 export default HintRow

packages/ui/src/components/instance/shell/SessionSidebar.tsx

@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 import { Show, type Accessor, type Component } from "solid-js"
 import type { SessionThread } from "../../../stores/session-state"
 import type { Session } from "../../../types/session"
-import type { KeyboardShortcut } from "../../../lib/keyboard-registry"
+import { keyboardRegistry, type KeyboardShortcut } from "../../../lib/keyboard-registry"
 import type { DrawerViewState } from "./types"
 
-import { Search } from "lucide-solid"
+import { PlusSquare, Search } from "lucide-solid"
 import IconButton from "@suid/material/IconButton"
 import MenuOpenIcon from "@suid/icons-material/MenuOpen"
 import PushPinIcon from "@suid/icons-material/PushPin"
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ import InfoOutlinedIcon from "@suid/icons-material/InfoOutlined"
 
 import SessionList from "../../session-list"
 import KeyboardHint from "../../keyboard-hint"
-import Kbd from "../../kbd"
 import WorktreeSelector from "../../worktree-selector"
 import AgentSelector from "../../agent-selector"
 import ModelSelector from "../../model-selector"
@@ -56,6 +55,20 @@ const SessionSidebar: Component<SessionSidebarProps> = (props) => (
           {props.t("instanceShell.leftPanel.sessionsTitle")}
         </span>
         <div class="flex items-center gap-2 text-primary">
+          <IconButton
+            size="small"
+            color="inherit"
+            aria-label={props.t("sessionList.actions.newSession.ariaLabel")}
+            title={props.t("sessionList.actions.newSession.title")}
+            onClick={() => {
+              const result = props.onNewSession()
+              if (result instanceof Promise) {
+                void result.catch((error) => log.error("Failed to create session:", error))
+              }
+            }}
+          >
+            <PlusSquare class="w-5 h-5" />
+          </IconButton>
           <IconButton
             size="small"
             color="inherit"
@@ -71,7 +84,7 @@ const SessionSidebar: Component<SessionSidebarProps> = (props) => (
               },
             }}
           >
-            <Search class={props.showSearch() ? "w-4 h-4" : "w-4 h-4 opacity-70"} />
+            <Search class="w-5 h-5" />
           </IconButton>
           <IconButton
             size="small"
@@ -152,11 +165,17 @@ const SessionSidebar: Component<SessionSidebarProps> = (props) => (
 
               <ThinkingSelector instanceId={props.instanceId} currentModel={activeSession().model} />
 
-              <div class="session-sidebar-selector-hints" aria-hidden="true">
-                <Kbd shortcut="cmd+shift+a" />
-                <Kbd shortcut="cmd+shift+m" />
-                <Kbd shortcut="cmd+shift+t" />
-              </div>
+              <KeyboardHint
+                class="session-sidebar-selector-hints"
+                ariaHidden={true}
+                shortcuts={[
+                  keyboardRegistry.get("open-agent-selector"),
+                  keyboardRegistry.get("focus-model"),
+                  keyboardRegistry.get("focus-variant"),
+                ].filter((shortcut): shortcut is KeyboardShortcut => Boolean(shortcut))}
+                separator=" "
+                showDescription={false}
+              />
             </div>
           </>
         )}

packages/ui/src/components/kbd.tsx

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { Component, JSX, For } from "solid-js"
+import useMediaQuery from "@suid/material/useMediaQuery"
 import { isMac } from "../lib/keyboard-utils"
 
 interface KbdProps {
@@ -27,6 +28,9 @@ const SPECIAL_KEY_LABELS: Record<string, string> = {
 }
 
 const Kbd: Component<KbdProps> = (props) => {
+  const desktopQuery = useMediaQuery("(min-width: 1280px)")
+  if (!desktopQuery()) return null
+
   const parts = () => {
     if (props.children) return [{ text: props.children, isModifier: false }]
     if (!props.shortcut) return []

packages/ui/src/components/keyboard-hint.tsx

@@ -1,14 +1,20 @@
 import { Component, For } from "solid-js"
-import { formatShortcut, isMac } from "../lib/keyboard-utils"
+import useMediaQuery from "@suid/material/useMediaQuery"
 import type { KeyboardShortcut } from "../lib/keyboard-registry"
 import Kbd from "./kbd"
 import HintRow from "./hint-row"
 
 const KeyboardHint: Component<{
   shortcuts: KeyboardShortcut[]
-  separator?: string
+  separator?: string | null
   showDescription?: boolean
+  class?: string
+  ariaHidden?: boolean
 }> = (props) => {
+  // Centralize layout gating here so call sites don't need to.
+  // We only show keyboard hint UI on desktop layouts.
+  const desktopQuery = useMediaQuery("(min-width: 1280px)")
+
   function buildShortcutString(shortcut: KeyboardShortcut): string {
     const parts: string[] = []
 
@@ -26,12 +32,14 @@ const KeyboardHint: Component<{
     return parts.join("+")
   }
 
+  if (!desktopQuery()) return null
+
   return (
-    <HintRow>
+    <HintRow class={props.class} ariaHidden={props.ariaHidden}>
       <For each={props.shortcuts}>
         {(shortcut, i) => (
           <>
-            {i() > 0 && <span class="mx-1">{props.separator || "•"}</span>}
+            {i() > 0 && props.separator !== null && <span class="mx-1">{props.separator ?? "•"}</span>}
             {props.showDescription !== false && <span class="mr-1">{shortcut.description}</span>}
             <Kbd shortcut={buildShortcutString(shortcut)} />
           </>

packages/ui/src/components/message-item.tsx

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { For, Show, createSignal } from "solid-js"
-import { Copy, Split, Trash2, Undo } from "lucide-solid"
+import { Copy, ExternalLink, Split, Trash2, Undo } from "lucide-solid"
 import type { MessageInfo, ClientPart } from "../types/message"
 import { partHasRenderableText } from "../types/message"
 import type { MessageRecord } from "../stores/message-v2/types"
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import { copyToClipboard } from "../lib/clipboard"
 import { useI18n } from "../lib/i18n"
 import { showAlertDialog } from "../stores/alerts"
 import { deleteMessagePart } from "../stores/session-actions"
+import { isTauriHost } from "../lib/runtime-env"
 
 interface MessageItemProps {
   record: MessageRecord
@@ -45,6 +46,15 @@ export default function MessageItem(props: MessageItemProps) {
 
   const messageParts = () => props.parts
 
+  // User messages can temporarily include synthetic helper parts (e.g. tool traces / file reads).
+  // We only want to display the primary prompt text for the user message; other synthetic text
+  // parts should be hidden.
+  const primaryUserTextPartId = () => {
+    if (!isUser()) return null
+    const firstText = messageParts().find((part) => part?.type === "text") as { id?: string } | undefined
+    return typeof firstText?.id === "string" ? firstText.id : null
+  }
+
   const fileAttachments = () =>
     messageParts().filter((part): part is FilePart => part?.type === "file" && typeof (part as FilePart).url === "string")
 
@@ -96,7 +106,8 @@ export default function MessageItem(props: MessageItemProps) {
     }
 
     if (url.startsWith("file://")) {
-      window.open(url, "_blank", "noopener")
+      // Local filesystem URLs are not reliably downloadable from the message stream.
+      // We hide the download action for these chips.
       return
     }
 
@@ -372,6 +383,7 @@ export default function MessageItem(props: MessageItemProps) {
               messageType={props.record.role}
               instanceId={props.instanceId}
               sessionId={props.sessionId}
+              primaryUserTextPartId={primaryUserTextPartId()}
               onRendered={props.onContentRendered}
             />
           )}
@@ -398,17 +410,20 @@ export default function MessageItem(props: MessageItemProps) {
                       <img src={attachment.url} alt={name} class="h-5 w-5 rounded object-cover" />
                     </Show>
                     <span class="truncate max-w-[180px]">{name}</span>
-                    <button
-                      type="button"
-                      onClick={() => void handleAttachmentDownload(attachment)}
-                      class="attachment-download"
-                      aria-label={t("messageItem.attachment.downloadAriaLabel", { name })}
-                    >
-                      <svg class="h-3 w-3" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke="currentColor">
-                        <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M4 16v2a2 2 0 002 2h12a2 2 0 002-2v-2" />
-                        <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M8 12l4 4 4-4m-4-8v12" />
-                      </svg>
-                    </button>
+                    <Show when={!attachment.url?.startsWith("file://")}>
+                      <button
+                        type="button"
+                        onClick={() => void handleAttachmentDownload(attachment)}
+                        class="attachment-download"
+                        aria-label={t("messageItem.attachment.downloadAriaLabel", { name })}
+                        title={t("messageItem.attachment.downloadAriaLabel", { name })}
+                      >
+                        <svg class="h-3 w-3" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke="currentColor">
+                          <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M4 16v2a2 2 0 002 2h12a2 2 0 002-2v-2" />
+                          <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M8 12l4 4 4-4m-4-8v12" />
+                        </svg>
+                      </button>
+                    </Show>
 
                     <button
                       type="button"

packages/ui/src/components/message-part.tsx

@@ -13,9 +13,12 @@ interface MessagePartProps {
   messageType?: "user" | "assistant"
   instanceId: string
   sessionId: string
+  // For user messages, keep the primary prompt text visible even when synthetic (optimistic).
+  // Other synthetic text parts (tool traces, read outputs, etc.) should be hidden.
+  primaryUserTextPartId?: string | null
   onRendered?: () => void
  }
-  export default function MessagePart(props: MessagePartProps) {
+   export default function MessagePart(props: MessagePartProps) {
 
   const { isDark } = useTheme()
   const { preferences } = useConfig()
@@ -28,8 +31,19 @@ interface MessagePartProps {
   const shouldHideTextPart = () => {
     const part = props.part
     if (!part || part.type !== "text") return false
-    // Keep optimistic user prompts visible; hide synthetic assistant text.
-    return Boolean((part as any).synthetic) && props.messageType !== "user"
+
+    const isSynthetic = Boolean((part as any).synthetic)
+    if (!isSynthetic) return false
+
+    // Keep optimistic user prompts visible; hide other synthetic user helper parts.
+    if (props.messageType === "user") {
+      const primaryId = props.primaryUserTextPartId
+      if (!primaryId) return false
+      return part.id !== primaryId
+    }
+
+    // Hide synthetic assistant text.
+    return true
   }
 
 

packages/ui/src/components/prompt-input.tsx

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
-import { createSignal, Show, onMount, onCleanup, createEffect, on, untrack } from "solid-js"
+import { createSignal, Show, onMount, onCleanup, createEffect, on } from "solid-js"
 import { ArrowBigUp, ArrowBigDown } from "lucide-solid"
 import UnifiedPicker from "./unified-picker"
 import ExpandButton from "./expand-button"
-import { getAttachments, clearAttachments, removeAttachment } from "../stores/attachments"
+import { clearAttachments, removeAttachment } from "../stores/attachments"
 import { resolvePastedPlaceholders } from "../lib/prompt-placeholders"
 import Kbd from "./kbd"
 import { getActiveInstance } from "../stores/instances"
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ export default function PromptInput(props: PromptInputProps) {
     handleDrop,
     syncAttachmentCounters,
     handleExpandTextAttachment,
+    handleRemoveAttachment,
   } = usePromptAttachments({
     instanceId: () => props.instanceId,
     sessionId: () => props.sessionId,
@@ -87,6 +88,9 @@ export default function PromptInput(props: PromptInputProps) {
         if (!attachment) return
         handleExpandTextAttachment(attachment)
       },
+      removeAttachment: (attachmentId: string) => {
+        handleRemoveAttachment(attachmentId)
+      },
       setPromptText: (text: string, opts?: { focus?: boolean }) => {
         const textarea = textareaRef
         if (textarea) {
@@ -166,10 +170,7 @@ export default function PromptInput(props: PromptInputProps) {
         setAtPosition(null)
         setSearchQuery("")
 
-        const instanceId = props.instanceId
-        const sessionId = props.sessionId
-        const currentAttachments = untrack(() => getAttachments(instanceId, sessionId))
-        syncAttachmentCounters(prompt(), currentAttachments)
+        syncAttachmentCounters(prompt())
       },
       { defer: true },
     ),
@@ -238,10 +239,10 @@ export default function PromptInput(props: PromptInputProps) {
     // Ignore attachments for slash commands, but keep them for next prompt.
     if (!isKnownSlashCommand) {
       clearAttachments(props.instanceId, props.sessionId)
-      syncAttachmentCounters("", [])
+      syncAttachmentCounters("")
       setIgnoredAtPositions(new Set<number>())
     } else {
-      syncAttachmentCounters("", currentAttachments)
+      syncAttachmentCounters("")
       setIgnoredAtPositions(new Set<number>())
     }
 

packages/ui/src/components/prompt-input/attachmentPlaceholders.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-import type { Attachment } from "../../types/attachment"
-
 export function formatPastedPlaceholder(value: string | number) {
   return `[pasted #${value}]`
 }
@@ -9,27 +7,27 @@ export function formatImagePlaceholder(value: string | number) {
 }
 
 export function createPastedPlaceholderRegex() {
-  return /\[pasted #(\d+)\]/g
+  return /\[\s*pasted\s*#\s*(\d+)\s*\]/gi
 }
 
 export function createImagePlaceholderRegex() {
-  return /\[Image #(\d+)\]/g
+  return /\[\s*Image\s*#\s*(\d+)\s*\]/gi
 }
 
 export function createMentionRegex() {
   return /@(\S+)/g
 }
 
-export const pastedDisplayCounterRegex = /pasted #(\d+)/
-export const imageDisplayCounterRegex = /Image #(\d+)/
-export const bracketedImageDisplayCounterRegex = /\[Image #(\d+)\]/
+export const pastedDisplayCounterRegex = /pasted #(\d+)/i
+export const imageDisplayCounterRegex = /Image #(\d+)/i
+export const bracketedImageDisplayCounterRegex = /\[\s*Image\s*#\s*(\d+)\s*\]/i
 
 export function parseCounter(value: string) {
   const parsed = Number.parseInt(value, 10)
   return Number.isNaN(parsed) ? null : parsed
 }
 
-export function findHighestAttachmentCounters(currentPrompt: string, sessionAttachments: Attachment[]) {
+export function findHighestAttachmentCounters(currentPrompt: string) {
   let highestPaste = 0
   let highestImage = 0
 
@@ -40,27 +38,6 @@ export function findHighestAttachmentCounters(currentPrompt: string, sessionAtta
     }
   }
 
-  for (const attachment of sessionAttachments) {
-    if (attachment.source.type === "text") {
-      const placeholderMatch = attachment.display.match(pastedDisplayCounterRegex)
-      if (placeholderMatch) {
-        const parsed = parseCounter(placeholderMatch[1])
-        if (parsed !== null) {
-          highestPaste = Math.max(highestPaste, parsed)
-        }
-      }
-    }
-    if (attachment.source.type === "file" && attachment.mediaType.startsWith("image/")) {
-      const imageMatch = attachment.display.match(imageDisplayCounterRegex)
-      if (imageMatch) {
-        const parsed = parseCounter(imageMatch[1])
-        if (parsed !== null) {
-          highestImage = Math.max(highestImage, parsed)
-        }
-      }
-    }
-  }
-
   for (const match of currentPrompt.matchAll(createImagePlaceholderRegex())) {
     const parsed = parseCounter(match[1])
     if (parsed !== null) {

packages/ui/src/components/prompt-input/types.ts

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ export type PromptInsertMode = "quote" | "code"
 export interface PromptInputApi {
   insertSelection(text: string, mode: PromptInsertMode): void
   expandTextAttachment(attachmentId: string): void
+  removeAttachment(attachmentId: string): void
   setPromptText(text: string, opts?: { focus?: boolean }): void
   focus(): void
 }

packages/ui/src/components/prompt-input/usePromptAttachments.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { createSignal, type Accessor } from "solid-js"
+import { createEffect, createSignal, type Accessor } from "solid-js"
 import { addAttachment, getAttachments, removeAttachment } from "../../stores/attachments"
 import { createFileAttachment, createTextAttachment } from "../../types/attachment"
 import type { Attachment } from "../../types/attachment"
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import {
   findHighestAttachmentCounters,
   formatImagePlaceholder,
   formatPastedPlaceholder,
+  imageDisplayCounterRegex,
   pastedDisplayCounterRegex,
 } from "./attachmentPlaceholders"
 
@@ -23,7 +24,7 @@ type PromptAttachments = {
   attachments: Accessor<Attachment[]>
   pasteCount: Accessor<number>
   imageCount: Accessor<number>
-  syncAttachmentCounters: (promptText: string, sessionAttachments: Attachment[]) => void
+  syncAttachmentCounters: (promptText: string) => void
 
   handlePaste: (e: ClipboardEvent) => Promise<void>
   isDragging: Accessor<boolean>
@@ -41,45 +42,106 @@ export function usePromptAttachments(options: PromptAttachmentsOptions): PromptA
   const [pasteCount, setPasteCount] = createSignal(0)
   const [imageCount, setImageCount] = createSignal(0)
 
-  function syncAttachmentCounters(currentPrompt: string, sessionAttachments: Attachment[]) {
-    const { highestPaste, highestImage } = findHighestAttachmentCounters(currentPrompt, sessionAttachments)
+  function syncAttachmentCounters(currentPrompt: string) {
+    const { highestPaste, highestImage } = findHighestAttachmentCounters(currentPrompt)
     setPasteCount(highestPaste)
     setImageCount(highestImage)
   }
 
+  const escapeRegExp = (value: string) => value.replace(/[.*+?^${}()|[\]\\]/g, "\\$&")
+
+  function removeTokenFromPrompt(currentPrompt: string, tokenRegex: RegExp) {
+    const next = currentPrompt.replace(tokenRegex, "")
+    if (next === currentPrompt) return currentPrompt
+
+    return next
+      .replace(/[ \t]{2,}/g, " ")
+      .replace(/[ \t]+\n/g, "\n")
+      .replace(/\n[ \t]+/g, "\n")
+      .trim()
+  }
+
+  const createLooseImagePlaceholderRegex = (counter: string | number) =>
+    new RegExp(`\\[\\s*Image\\s*#\\s*${counter}\\s*\\]`, "i")
+  const createLoosePastedPlaceholderRegex = (counter: string | number) =>
+    new RegExp(`\\[\\s*pasted\\s*#\\s*${counter}\\s*\\]`, "i")
+
+  // Keep placeholder-backed attachments in sync with prompt text.
+  // If the placeholder token disappears from the prompt, the attachment should disappear too.
+  createEffect(() => {
+    const currentPrompt = options.prompt()
+    const currentAttachments = attachments()
+
+    const toRemove: string[] = []
+
+    for (const attachment of currentAttachments) {
+      if (attachment.source.type === "text") {
+        const match = attachment.display.match(pastedDisplayCounterRegex)
+        if (!match) continue
+        const counter = match[1]
+        if (!createLoosePastedPlaceholderRegex(counter).test(currentPrompt)) {
+          toRemove.push(attachment.id)
+        }
+        continue
+      }
+
+      if (attachment.source.type === "file" && attachment.mediaType.startsWith("image/")) {
+        const match =
+          attachment.display.match(bracketedImageDisplayCounterRegex) || attachment.display.match(imageDisplayCounterRegex)
+        if (!match) continue
+        const counter = match[1]
+        if (!createLooseImagePlaceholderRegex(counter).test(currentPrompt)) {
+          toRemove.push(attachment.id)
+        }
+      }
+    }
+
+    for (const attachmentId of toRemove) {
+      removeAttachment(options.instanceId(), options.sessionId(), attachmentId)
+    }
+  })
+
   function handleRemoveAttachment(attachmentId: string) {
     const currentAttachments = attachments()
     const attachment = currentAttachments.find((a) => a.id === attachmentId)
 
+    // Always remove from store.
     removeAttachment(options.instanceId(), options.sessionId(), attachmentId)
 
-    if (attachment) {
-      const currentPrompt = options.prompt()
-      let newPrompt = currentPrompt
+    if (!attachment) return
 
-      if (attachment.source.type === "file") {
-        if (attachment.mediaType.startsWith("image/")) {
-          const imageMatch = attachment.display.match(bracketedImageDisplayCounterRegex)
-          if (imageMatch) {
-            const placeholder = formatImagePlaceholder(imageMatch[1])
-            newPrompt = currentPrompt.replace(placeholder, "").replace(/\s+/g, " ").trim()
-          }
-        } else {
-          const filename = attachment.filename
-          newPrompt = currentPrompt.replace(`@${filename}`, "").replace(/\s+/g, " ").trim()
+    const currentPrompt = options.prompt()
+    let nextPrompt = currentPrompt
+
+    if (attachment.source.type === "file") {
+      if (attachment.mediaType.startsWith("image/")) {
+        const imageMatch =
+          attachment.display.match(bracketedImageDisplayCounterRegex) || attachment.display.match(imageDisplayCounterRegex)
+        if (imageMatch) {
+          nextPrompt = removeTokenFromPrompt(currentPrompt, createLooseImagePlaceholderRegex(imageMatch[1]))
         }
-      } else if (attachment.source.type === "agent") {
-        const agentName = attachment.filename
-        newPrompt = currentPrompt.replace(`@${agentName}`, "").replace(/\s+/g, " ").trim()
-      } else if (attachment.source.type === "text") {
-        const placeholderMatch = attachment.display.match(pastedDisplayCounterRegex)
-        if (placeholderMatch) {
-          const placeholder = formatPastedPlaceholder(placeholderMatch[1])
-          newPrompt = currentPrompt.replace(placeholder, "").replace(/\s+/g, " ").trim()
+      } else {
+        // For file mentions we insert `@<path>`, but the chip might display `@<filename>`.
+        const candidates = [attachment.source.path, attachment.filename]
+        for (const candidate of candidates) {
+          if (!candidate) continue
+          const mentionRegex = new RegExp(`@${escapeRegExp(candidate)}(?=\\s|$)`, "i")
+          nextPrompt = removeTokenFromPrompt(nextPrompt, mentionRegex)
         }
       }
+    } else if (attachment.source.type === "agent") {
+      const agentName = attachment.filename
+      const mentionRegex = new RegExp(`@${escapeRegExp(agentName)}(?=\\s|$)`, "i")
+      nextPrompt = removeTokenFromPrompt(currentPrompt, mentionRegex)
+    } else if (attachment.source.type === "text") {
+      const placeholderMatch = attachment.display.match(pastedDisplayCounterRegex)
+      if (placeholderMatch) {
+        nextPrompt = removeTokenFromPrompt(currentPrompt, createLoosePastedPlaceholderRegex(placeholderMatch[1]))
+      }
+    }
 
-      options.setPrompt(newPrompt)
+    if (nextPrompt !== currentPrompt) {
+      options.setPrompt(nextPrompt)
     }
   }
 
@@ -143,13 +205,32 @@ export function usePromptAttachments(options: PromptAttachmentsOptions): PromptA
         const blob = item.getAsFile()
         if (!blob) continue
 
-        const count = imageCount() + 1
+        const { highestImage } = findHighestAttachmentCounters(options.prompt())
+        const count = highestImage + 1
         setImageCount(count)
 
+        const placeholder = formatImagePlaceholder(count)
+        const textarea = options.getTextarea()
+
+        if (textarea) {
+          const start = textarea.selectionStart
+          const end = textarea.selectionEnd
+          const currentText = options.prompt()
+          const newText = currentText.substring(0, start) + placeholder + currentText.substring(end)
+          options.setPrompt(newText)
+
+          setTimeout(() => {
+            const newCursorPos = start + placeholder.length
+            textarea.setSelectionRange(newCursorPos, newCursorPos)
+            textarea.focus()
+          }, 0)
+        } else {
+          options.setPrompt(options.prompt() + placeholder)
+        }
+
         const reader = new FileReader()
         reader.onload = () => {
           const base64Data = (reader.result as string).split(",")[1]
-          const display = formatImagePlaceholder(count)
           const filename = `image-${count}.png`
 
           const attachment = createFileAttachment(
@@ -160,24 +241,8 @@ export function usePromptAttachments(options: PromptAttachmentsOptions): PromptA
             options.instanceFolder(),
           )
           attachment.url = `data:image/png;base64,${base64Data}`
-          attachment.display = display
+          attachment.display = placeholder
           addAttachment(options.instanceId(), options.sessionId(), attachment)
-
-          const textarea = options.getTextarea()
-          if (textarea) {
-            const start = textarea.selectionStart
-            const end = textarea.selectionEnd
-            const currentText = options.prompt()
-            const placeholder = formatImagePlaceholder(count)
-            const newText = currentText.substring(0, start) + placeholder + currentText.substring(end)
-            options.setPrompt(newText)
-
-            setTimeout(() => {
-              const newCursorPos = start + placeholder.length
-              textarea.setSelectionRange(newCursorPos, newCursorPos)
-              textarea.focus()
-            }, 0)
-          }
         }
         reader.readAsDataURL(blob)
 
@@ -196,7 +261,8 @@ export function usePromptAttachments(options: PromptAttachmentsOptions): PromptA
     if (isLongPaste) {
       e.preventDefault()
 
-      const count = pasteCount() + 1
+      const { highestPaste } = findHighestAttachmentCounters(options.prompt())
+      const count = highestPaste + 1
       setPasteCount(count)
 
       const summary = lineCount > 1 ? `${lineCount} lines` : `${charCount} chars`
@@ -204,14 +270,12 @@ export function usePromptAttachments(options: PromptAttachmentsOptions): PromptA
       const filename = `paste-${count}.txt`
 
       const attachment = createTextAttachment(pastedText, display, filename)
-      addAttachment(options.instanceId(), options.sessionId(), attachment)
-
+      const placeholder = formatPastedPlaceholder(count)
       const textarea = options.getTextarea()
       if (textarea) {
         const start = textarea.selectionStart
         const end = textarea.selectionEnd
         const currentText = options.prompt()
-        const placeholder = formatPastedPlaceholder(count)
         const newText = currentText.substring(0, start) + placeholder + currentText.substring(end)
         options.setPrompt(newText)
 
@@ -220,7 +284,11 @@ export function usePromptAttachments(options: PromptAttachmentsOptions): PromptA
           textarea.setSelectionRange(newCursorPos, newCursorPos)
           textarea.focus()
         }, 0)
+      } else {
+        options.setPrompt(options.prompt() + placeholder)
       }
+
+      addAttachment(options.instanceId(), options.sessionId(), attachment)
     }
   }
 

packages/ui/src/components/prompt-input/usePromptKeyDown.ts

@@ -183,9 +183,25 @@ export function usePromptKeyDown(options: UsePromptKeyDownOptions) {
 
         if (isDeletingFromEnd || isDeletingFromStart || isSelected) {
           const currentAttachments = options.getAttachments()
-          const attachment = currentAttachments.find(
-            (a) => (a.source.type === "file" || a.source.type === "agent") && a.filename === name,
-          )
+          const attachment = currentAttachments.find((a) => {
+            if (a.source.type === "agent") {
+              return a.filename === name
+            }
+            if (a.source.type === "file") {
+              // Match either by filename (basename) or by path (for full paths like @docs/file.txt)
+              return (
+                a.filename === name ||
+                a.source.path === name ||
+                a.source.path.endsWith("/" + name) ||
+                a.source.path === name.replace(/\/$/, "")
+              )
+            }
+            if (a.source.type === "text") {
+              // For text attachments (path-only mentions), match by value
+              return a.source.value === name || a.source.value.endsWith("/" + name)
+            }
+            return false
+          })
 
           if (attachment) {
             e.preventDefault()
@@ -205,6 +221,14 @@ export function usePromptKeyDown(options: UsePromptKeyDownOptions) {
               textarea.setSelectionRange(mentionStart, mentionStart)
             }, 0)
 
+            // Check if there are any @ remaining in the text - if not, close the picker
+            if (!newText.includes("@") && options.isPickerOpen()) {
+              options.closePicker()
+              // Clear ignoredAtPositions since we deleted the entire @mention
+              // This ensures typing @ again will open the picker
+              options.setIgnoredAtPositions(new Set())
+            }
+
             return
           }
         }

packages/ui/src/components/prompt-input/usePromptPicker.ts

@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 import { createSignal, type Accessor, type Setter } from "solid-js"
 import type { Command as SDKCommand } from "@opencode-ai/sdk/v2"
 import type { Agent } from "../../types/session"
-import { createAgentAttachment, createFileAttachment } from "../../types/attachment"
+import { createAgentAttachment, createFileAttachment, createTextAttachment } from "../../types/attachment"
 import { addAttachment, getAttachments } from "../../stores/attachments"
 import type { PickerMode } from "./types"
+import type { PickerSelectAction } from "../unified-picker"
 
 type PickerItem =
   | { type: "agent"; agent: Agent }
@@ -37,7 +38,7 @@ type PromptPickerController = {
   setIgnoredAtPositions: Setter<Set<number>>
 
   handleInput: (e: Event) => void
-  handlePickerSelect: (item: PickerItem) => void
+  handlePickerSelect: (item: PickerItem, action: PickerSelectAction) => void
   handlePickerClose: () => void
 }
 
@@ -103,10 +104,11 @@ export function usePromptPicker(options: PromptPickerOptions): PromptPickerContr
     setAtPosition(null)
   }
 
-  function handlePickerSelect(item: PickerItem) {
+  function handlePickerSelect(item: PickerItem, action: PickerSelectAction) {
     const textarea = options.getTextarea()
 
     if (item.type === "command") {
+      // For commands, Tab/Enter/Shift+Enter/click all mean "select".
       const name = item.command.name
       const currentPrompt = options.prompt()
 
@@ -128,6 +130,7 @@ export function usePromptPicker(options: PromptPickerOptions): PromptPickerContr
         }
       }, 0)
     } else if (item.type === "agent") {
+      // For agents, Tab/Enter/Shift+Enter/click all mean "select".
       const agentName = item.agent.name
       const existingAttachments = getAttachments(options.instanceId(), options.sessionId())
       const alreadyAttached = existingAttachments.some(
@@ -163,76 +166,152 @@ export function usePromptPicker(options: PromptPickerOptions): PromptPickerContr
       const relativePath = item.file.relativePath ?? displayPath
       const isFolder = item.file.isDirectory ?? displayPath.endsWith("/")
 
-      if (isFolder) {
-        const currentPrompt = options.prompt()
-        const pos = atPosition()
-        const cursorPos = textarea?.selectionStart || 0
-        const folderMention =
-          relativePath === "." || relativePath === ""
-            ? "/"
-            : relativePath.replace(/\/+$/, "") + "/"
-
-        if (pos !== null) {
-          const before = currentPrompt.substring(0, pos + 1)
-          const after = currentPrompt.substring(cursorPos)
-          const newPrompt = before + folderMention + after
-          options.setPrompt(newPrompt)
-          setSearchQuery(folderMention)
-
-          setTimeout(() => {
-            const nextTextarea = options.getTextarea()
-            if (nextTextarea) {
-              const newCursorPos = pos + 1 + folderMention.length
-              nextTextarea.setSelectionRange(newCursorPos, newCursorPos)
-            }
-          }, 0)
-        }
-
-        return
-      }
-
-      const normalizedPath = relativePath.replace(/\/+$/, "") || relativePath
-      const pathSegments = normalizedPath.split("/")
-      const filename = (() => {
-        const candidate = pathSegments[pathSegments.length - 1] || normalizedPath
-        return candidate === "." ? "/" : candidate
-      })()
-
-      const existingAttachments = getAttachments(options.instanceId(), options.sessionId())
-      const alreadyAttached = existingAttachments.some(
-        (att) => att.source.type === "file" && att.source.path === normalizedPath,
-      )
-
-      if (!alreadyAttached) {
-        const attachment = createFileAttachment(
-          normalizedPath,
-          filename,
-          "text/plain",
-          undefined,
-          options.instanceFolder(),
-        )
-        addAttachment(options.instanceId(), options.sessionId(), attachment)
-      }
-
-      const currentPrompt = options.prompt()
       const pos = atPosition()
       const cursorPos = textarea?.selectionStart || 0
 
-      if (pos !== null) {
+      const replaceMentionToken = (mentionText: string, opts?: { trailingSpace?: boolean }) => {
+        if (pos === null) return
+        const currentPrompt = options.prompt()
         const before = currentPrompt.substring(0, pos)
         const after = currentPrompt.substring(cursorPos)
-        const attachmentText = `@${normalizedPath}`
-        const newPrompt = before + attachmentText + " " + after
-        options.setPrompt(newPrompt)
+        const suffix = opts?.trailingSpace ? " " : ""
+        const nextPrompt = before + mentionText + suffix + after
+        options.setPrompt(nextPrompt)
 
         setTimeout(() => {
           const nextTextarea = options.getTextarea()
-          if (nextTextarea) {
-            const newCursorPos = pos + attachmentText.length + 1
-            nextTextarea.setSelectionRange(newCursorPos, newCursorPos)
-          }
+          if (!nextTextarea) return
+          const nextCursorPos = pos + mentionText.length + suffix.length
+          nextTextarea.setSelectionRange(nextCursorPos, nextCursorPos)
         }, 0)
       }
+
+      const replaceMentionQueryAfterAt = (value: string) => {
+        // Replaces only the query after '@' (keeps the '@' itself). Used for directory navigation.
+        if (pos === null) return
+        const currentPrompt = options.prompt()
+        const before = currentPrompt.substring(0, pos + 1)
+        const after = currentPrompt.substring(cursorPos)
+        const nextPrompt = before + value + after
+        options.setPrompt(nextPrompt)
+
+        setTimeout(() => {
+          const nextTextarea = options.getTextarea()
+          if (!nextTextarea) return
+          const nextCursorPos = pos + 1 + value.length
+          nextTextarea.setSelectionRange(nextCursorPos, nextCursorPos)
+        }, 0)
+      }
+
+      const folderMention =
+        relativePath === "." || relativePath === "" || relativePath === "./"
+          ? "./"
+          : (relativePath.startsWith("./") ? relativePath.replace(/\/+$/, "") + "/" : relativePath.replace(/^\.\//, "").replace(/\/+$/, "") + "/")
+
+      const normalizedFolderPath = (() => {
+        const trimmed = relativePath.replace(/\/+$/, "")
+        // If it's root "./", just return "./"
+        if (trimmed === "" || trimmed === ".") return "./"
+        // Otherwise remove any leading ./ and add ./ prefix
+        return "./" + trimmed.replace(/^\.\//, "")
+      })()
+
+      const addPathOnlyAttachment = (value: string) => {
+        const display = `path: ${value}`
+        const filename = value
+        const existing = getAttachments(options.instanceId(), options.sessionId())
+        const alreadyAttached = existing.some(
+          (att) => att.source.type === "text" && att.source.value === value && att.display === display,
+        )
+        if (!alreadyAttached) {
+          addAttachment(options.instanceId(), options.sessionId(), createTextAttachment(value, display, filename))
+        }
+      }
+
+      if (isFolder) {
+        if (action === "tab") {
+          // TAB on directory: autocomplete directory name and show its contents.
+          replaceMentionQueryAfterAt(folderMention)
+          setSearchQuery(folderMention)
+          return
+        }
+
+        const mentionText = `@${folderMention}`
+
+        if (action === "shiftEnter") {
+          // SHIFT+ENTER on directory: keep @path in prompt, add text attachment, remove @ when sending
+          // Always prefix with ./ for consistency
+          const normalizedFolderPathWithPrefix = normalizedFolderPath.startsWith("./") ? normalizedFolderPath : "./" + normalizedFolderPath
+          addPathOnlyAttachment(normalizedFolderPathWithPrefix)
+          replaceMentionToken(mentionText, { trailingSpace: true })
+        } else {
+          // ENTER/click on directory: attach as a file part pointing at a file:// directory URL.
+          const dirLabel = normalizedFolderPath === "./" ? "./" : normalizedFolderPath.split("/").pop() || normalizedFolderPath
+          const dirFilename = dirLabel.endsWith("/") ? dirLabel : `${dirLabel}/`
+
+          const existingAttachments = getAttachments(options.instanceId(), options.sessionId())
+          const alreadyAttached = existingAttachments.some(
+            (att) => att.source.type === "file" && att.source.path === normalizedFolderPath && att.source.mime === "inode/directory",
+          )
+
+          if (!alreadyAttached) {
+            const attachment = createFileAttachment(
+              normalizedFolderPath,
+              dirFilename,
+              "inode/directory",
+              undefined,
+              options.instanceFolder(),
+            )
+            addAttachment(options.instanceId(), options.sessionId(), attachment)
+          }
+
+          replaceMentionToken(mentionText, { trailingSpace: true })
+        }
+      } else {
+        const normalizedPath = relativePath.replace(/\/+$/, "") || relativePath
+
+        if (action === "tab") {
+          // TAB on file: autocomplete the file path but do not attach.
+          replaceMentionToken(`@${normalizedPath}`)
+          setSearchQuery(normalizedPath)
+          return
+        }
+
+        if (action === "shiftEnter") {
+          // SHIFT+ENTER on file: keep @path in prompt, add text attachment, remove @ when sending
+          // Always prefix with ./ for consistency
+          const normalizedPathWithPrefix = normalizedPath.startsWith("./") ? normalizedPath : "./" + normalizedPath
+          addPathOnlyAttachment(normalizedPathWithPrefix)
+          replaceMentionToken(`@${normalizedPathWithPrefix}`, { trailingSpace: true })
+        } else {
+          // ENTER/click on file: attach file (existing behavior).
+          // Always prefix with ./ for consistency
+          const normalizedPathWithPrefix = normalizedPath.startsWith("./") ? normalizedPath : "./" + normalizedPath
+          const pathSegments = normalizedPath.split("/")
+          const filename = (() => {
+            const candidate = pathSegments[pathSegments.length - 1] || normalizedPath
+            return candidate === "." ? "/" : candidate
+          })()
+
+          const existingAttachments = getAttachments(options.instanceId(), options.sessionId())
+          const alreadyAttached = existingAttachments.some(
+            (att) => att.source.type === "file" && att.source.path === normalizedPathWithPrefix,
+          )
+
+          if (!alreadyAttached) {
+            const attachment = createFileAttachment(
+              normalizedPathWithPrefix,
+              filename,
+              "text/plain",
+              undefined,
+              options.instanceFolder(),
+            )
+            addAttachment(options.instanceId(), options.sessionId(), attachment)
+          }
+
+          replaceMentionToken(`@${normalizedPathWithPrefix}`, { trailingSpace: true })
+        }
+      }
     }
 
     setShowPicker(false)
@@ -245,6 +324,28 @@ export function usePromptPicker(options: PromptPickerOptions): PromptPickerContr
     const pos = atPosition()
     if (pickerMode() === "mention" && pos !== null) {
       setIgnoredAtPositions((prev) => new Set(prev).add(pos))
+
+      // Remove the partial @mention text from the textarea when ESC is pressed
+      const textarea = options.getTextarea()
+      if (textarea) {
+        const currentPrompt = options.prompt()
+        const cursorPos = textarea.selectionStart
+        // Remove text from @ position to cursor position
+        const before = currentPrompt.substring(0, pos)
+        const after = currentPrompt.substring(cursorPos)
+        options.setPrompt(before + after)
+
+        // Restore cursor position to where @ was
+        setTimeout(() => {
+          const nextTextarea = options.getTextarea()
+          if (nextTextarea) {
+            nextTextarea.setSelectionRange(pos, pos)
+          }
+        }, 0)
+
+        // Clear ignoredAtPositions so typing @ again will work
+        setIgnoredAtPositions(new Set<number>())
+      }
     }
     setShowPicker(false)
     setAtPosition(null)

packages/ui/src/components/session/session-view.tsx

@@ -299,13 +299,19 @@ export const SessionView: Component<SessionViewProps> = (props) => {
              />
 
 
-               <Show when={attachments().length > 0}>
-                 <PromptAttachmentsBar
-                   attachments={attachments()}
-                   onRemoveAttachment={(attachmentId) => removeAttachment(props.instanceId, props.sessionId, attachmentId)}
-                   onExpandTextAttachment={(attachmentId) => promptInputApi?.expandTextAttachment(attachmentId)}
-                 />
-               </Show>
+                <Show when={attachments().length > 0}>
+                  <PromptAttachmentsBar
+                    attachments={attachments()}
+                    onRemoveAttachment={(attachmentId) => {
+                      if (promptInputApi) {
+                        promptInputApi.removeAttachment(attachmentId)
+                        return
+                      }
+                      removeAttachment(props.instanceId, props.sessionId, attachmentId)
+                    }}
+                    onExpandTextAttachment={(attachmentId) => promptInputApi?.expandTextAttachment(attachmentId)}
+                  />
+                </Show>
 
               <PromptInput
                instanceId={props.instanceId}

packages/ui/src/components/unified-picker.tsx

@@ -51,9 +51,7 @@ function normalizeQuery(rawQuery: string) {
   if (!trimmed) {
     return ""
   }
-  if (trimmed === "." || trimmed === "./") {
-    return ""
-  }
+  // Don't normalize "." - it's used for workspace root
   return trimmed.replace(/^(\.\/)+/, "").replace(/^\/+/, "")
 }
 
@@ -74,10 +72,12 @@ type PickerItem =
   | { type: "file"; file: FileItem }
   | { type: "command"; command: SDKCommand }
 
+export type PickerSelectAction = "click" | "tab" | "enter" | "shiftEnter"
+
 interface UnifiedPickerProps {
   open: boolean
   mode?: "mention" | "command"
-  onSelect: (item: PickerItem) => void
+  onSelect: (item: PickerItem, action: PickerSelectAction) => void
   onClose: () => void
   agents: Agent[]
   commands?: SDKCommand[]
@@ -266,6 +266,13 @@ const UnifiedPicker: Component<UnifiedPickerProps> = (props) => {
     const workspaceChanged = lastWorkspaceId !== props.workspaceId
     const queryChanged = lastQuery !== props.searchQuery
 
+    if (queryChanged) {
+      // Reset selectedIndex to 0 when query changes to avoid ghost state
+      // This ensures proper highlighting when navigating back to root or changing queries
+      setSelectedIndex(0)
+      resetScrollPosition()
+    }
+
     if (!isInitialized() || workspaceChanged || queryChanged) {
       setIsInitialized(true)
       lastWorkspaceId = props.workspaceId
@@ -341,7 +348,22 @@ const UnifiedPicker: Component<UnifiedPickerProps> = (props) => {
       return items
     }
 
-    filteredAgents().forEach((agent) => items.push({ type: "agent", agent }))
+    // Add root directory as first item only when query is EXACTLY "." or "./" (not "./docs/")
+    const isExactRootQuery = props.searchQuery === "." || props.searchQuery === "./"
+    if (mode() === "mention" && isExactRootQuery) {
+      const rootFile: FileItem = {
+        path: ".",
+        relativePath: ".",
+        isDirectory: true,
+        isGitFile: false,
+      }
+      items.push({ type: "file", file: rootFile })
+    }
+
+    // Don't show agents for exact root path queries
+    if (!isExactRootQuery) {
+      filteredAgents().forEach((agent) => items.push({ type: "agent", agent }))
+    }
     files().forEach((file) => items.push({ type: "file", file }))
     return items
   }
@@ -356,7 +378,7 @@ const UnifiedPicker: Component<UnifiedPickerProps> = (props) => {
   }
 
   function handleSelect(item: PickerItem) {
-    props.onSelect(item)
+    props.onSelect(item, "click")
   }
 
   function handleKeyDown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
@@ -379,7 +401,8 @@ const UnifiedPicker: Component<UnifiedPickerProps> = (props) => {
       e.stopPropagation()
       const selected = items[selectedIndex()]
       if (selected) {
-        handleSelect(selected)
+        const action: PickerSelectAction = e.key === "Tab" ? "tab" : e.shiftKey ? "shiftEnter" : "enter"
+        props.onSelect(selected, action)
       }
     } else if (e.key === "Escape") {
       e.preventDefault()
@@ -443,7 +466,7 @@ const UnifiedPicker: Component<UnifiedPickerProps> = (props) => {
                   <div
                     class={`dropdown-item ${isSelected() ? "dropdown-item-highlight" : ""}`}
                     data-picker-selected={isSelected()}
-                    onClick={() => handleSelect({ type: "command", command })}
+                    onClick={() => props.onSelect({ type: "command", command }, "click")}
                   >
                     <div class="flex items-start gap-2">
                       <svg class="dropdown-icon-accent h-4 w-4 mt-0.5" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke="currentColor">
@@ -464,7 +487,7 @@ const UnifiedPicker: Component<UnifiedPickerProps> = (props) => {
             </For>
           </Show>
 
-          <Show when={mode() === "mention" && agentCount() > 0}>
+          <Show when={mode() === "mention" && agentCount() > 0 && !(props.searchQuery === "." || props.searchQuery === "./")}>
             <div class="dropdown-section-header">
               {t("unifiedPicker.sections.agents")}
             </div>
@@ -479,7 +502,7 @@ const UnifiedPicker: Component<UnifiedPickerProps> = (props) => {
                       itemIndex === selectedIndex() ? "dropdown-item-highlight" : ""
                     }`}
                     data-picker-selected={itemIndex === selectedIndex()}
-                    onClick={() => handleSelect({ type: "agent", agent })}
+                    onClick={() => props.onSelect({ type: "agent", agent }, "click")}
                   >
                     <div class="flex items-start gap-2">
                       <svg
@@ -519,10 +542,39 @@ const UnifiedPicker: Component<UnifiedPickerProps> = (props) => {
             </For>
           </Show>
 
-          <Show when={mode() === "mention" && fileCount() > 0}>
+          <Show when={mode() === "mention" && (fileCount() > 0 || props.searchQuery === "." || props.searchQuery === "./")}>
             <div class="dropdown-section-header">
               {t("unifiedPicker.sections.files")}
             </div>
+            <Show when={props.searchQuery === "." || props.searchQuery === "./"}>
+              <div
+                class={`dropdown-item py-1.5 ${
+                  selectedIndex() === 0 ? "dropdown-item-highlight" : ""
+                }`}
+                data-picker-selected={selectedIndex() === 0}
+                onClick={() => {
+                  const rootFile: FileItem = {
+                    path: ".",
+                    relativePath: ".",
+                    isDirectory: true,
+                    isGitFile: false,
+                  }
+                  props.onSelect({ type: "file", file: rootFile }, "click")
+                }}
+              >
+                <div class="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm">
+                  <svg class="dropdown-icon h-4 w-4 text-blue-500" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke="currentColor">
+                    <path
+                      stroke-linecap="round"
+                      stroke-linejoin="round"
+                      stroke-width="2"
+                      d="M3 7v10a2 2 0 002 2h14a2 2 0 002-2V9a2 2 0 00-2-2h-6l-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2z"
+                    />
+                  </svg>
+                  <span class="font-mono">. {t("unifiedPicker.sections.workspaceRoot")}</span>
+                </div>
+              </div>
+            </Show>
             <For each={files()}>
               {(file) => {
                 const itemIndex = allItems().findIndex(
@@ -535,7 +587,7 @@ const UnifiedPicker: Component<UnifiedPickerProps> = (props) => {
                       itemIndex === selectedIndex() ? "dropdown-item-highlight" : ""
                     }`}
                     data-picker-selected={itemIndex === selectedIndex()}
-                    onClick={() => handleSelect({ type: "file", file })}
+                    onClick={() => props.onSelect({ type: "file", file }, "click")}
                   >
                     <div class="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm">
                       <Show

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/en/app.ts

@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@ export const appMessages = {
   "releases.uiUpdated.title": "UI updated",
   "releases.uiUpdated.message": "UI is now updated to {version}.",
 
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.title": "Dev build available",
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.message": "A new dev build is available: {version}.",
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.action": "View release",
+
   "theme.mode.system": "System",
   "theme.mode.light": "Light",
   "theme.mode.dark": "Dark",

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/en/commands.ts

@@ -158,6 +158,7 @@ export const commandMessages = {
   "unifiedPicker.sections.commands": "COMMANDS",
   "unifiedPicker.sections.agents": "AGENTS",
   "unifiedPicker.sections.files": "FILES",
+  "unifiedPicker.sections.workspaceRoot": "WORKSPACE ROOT",
   "unifiedPicker.badge.subagent": "subagent",
   "unifiedPicker.footer.navigate": "navigate",
   "unifiedPicker.footer.select": "select",

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/en/session.ts

@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ export const sessionMessages = {
   "sessionList.expand.expandAriaLabel": "Expand session",
   "sessionList.expand.collapseTitle": "Collapse",
   "sessionList.expand.expandTitle": "Expand",
+  "sessionList.actions.newSession.ariaLabel": "New session",
+  "sessionList.actions.newSession.title": "New session",
   "sessionList.actions.copyId.ariaLabel": "Copy session ID",
   "sessionList.actions.copyId.title": "Copy session ID",
   "sessionList.actions.rename.ariaLabel": "Rename session",

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/es/app.ts

@@ -26,4 +26,11 @@ export const appMessages = {
   "releases.upgradeRequired.message.withVersion": "Actualiza a CodeNomad {version} para usar la UI más reciente.",
   "releases.upgradeRequired.message.noVersion": "Actualiza CodeNomad para usar la UI más reciente.",
   "releases.upgradeRequired.action.getUpdate": "Obtener actualización",
+
+  "releases.uiUpdated.title": "UI actualizada",
+  "releases.uiUpdated.message": "La UI ahora está actualizada a {version}.",
+
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.title": "Compilación dev disponible",
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.message": "Hay una nueva compilación dev disponible: {version}.",
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.action": "Ver release",
 } as const

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/es/session.ts

@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ export const sessionMessages = {
   "sessionList.expand.expandAriaLabel": "Expandir sesión",
   "sessionList.expand.collapseTitle": "Colapsar",
   "sessionList.expand.expandTitle": "Expandir",
+  "sessionList.actions.newSession.ariaLabel": "Nueva sesión",
+  "sessionList.actions.newSession.title": "Nueva sesión",
   "sessionList.actions.copyId.ariaLabel": "Copiar ID de sesión",
   "sessionList.actions.copyId.title": "Copiar ID de sesión",
   "sessionList.actions.rename.ariaLabel": "Renombrar sesión",

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/fr/app.ts

@@ -26,4 +26,11 @@ export const appMessages = {
   "releases.upgradeRequired.message.withVersion": "Mettez à jour vers CodeNomad {version} pour utiliser la dernière UI.",
   "releases.upgradeRequired.message.noVersion": "Mettez à jour CodeNomad pour utiliser la dernière UI.",
   "releases.upgradeRequired.action.getUpdate": "Obtenir la mise à jour",
+
+  "releases.uiUpdated.title": "UI mise à jour",
+  "releases.uiUpdated.message": "L'UI est maintenant mise à jour vers {version}.",
+
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.title": "Build dev disponible",
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.message": "Un nouveau build dev est disponible : {version}.",
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.action": "Voir la release",
 } as const

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/fr/session.ts

@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ export const sessionMessages = {
   "sessionList.expand.expandAriaLabel": "Développer la session",
   "sessionList.expand.collapseTitle": "Réduire",
   "sessionList.expand.expandTitle": "Développer",
+  "sessionList.actions.newSession.ariaLabel": "Nouvelle session",
+  "sessionList.actions.newSession.title": "Nouvelle session",
   "sessionList.actions.copyId.ariaLabel": "Copier l'ID de session",
   "sessionList.actions.copyId.title": "Copier l'ID de session",
   "sessionList.actions.rename.ariaLabel": "Renommer la session",

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ja/app.ts

@@ -26,4 +26,11 @@ export const appMessages = {
   "releases.upgradeRequired.message.withVersion": "最新の UI を使うには CodeNomad {version} に更新してください。",
   "releases.upgradeRequired.message.noVersion": "最新の UI を使うには CodeNomad を更新してください。",
   "releases.upgradeRequired.action.getUpdate": "更新を取得",
+
+  "releases.uiUpdated.title": "UI を更新しました",
+  "releases.uiUpdated.message": "UI が {version} に更新されました。",
+
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.title": "開発版が利用可能",
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.message": "新しい開発版が利用可能です: {version}。",
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.action": "リリースを見る",
 } as const

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ja/session.ts

@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ export const sessionMessages = {
   "sessionList.expand.expandAriaLabel": "セッションを展開",
   "sessionList.expand.collapseTitle": "折りたたむ",
   "sessionList.expand.expandTitle": "展開",
+  "sessionList.actions.newSession.ariaLabel": "新しいセッション",
+  "sessionList.actions.newSession.title": "新しいセッション",
   "sessionList.actions.copyId.ariaLabel": "セッション ID をコピー",
   "sessionList.actions.copyId.title": "セッション ID をコピー",
   "sessionList.actions.rename.ariaLabel": "セッション名を変更",

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ru/app.ts

@@ -26,4 +26,11 @@ export const appMessages = {
   "releases.upgradeRequired.message.withVersion": "Обновите CodeNomad до версии {version}, чтобы использовать последний UI.",
   "releases.upgradeRequired.message.noVersion": "Обновите CodeNomad, чтобы использовать последний UI.",
   "releases.upgradeRequired.action.getUpdate": "Получить обновление",
+
+  "releases.uiUpdated.title": "UI обновлён",
+  "releases.uiUpdated.message": "UI теперь обновлён до {version}.",
+
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.title": "Доступна dev-сборка",
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.message": "Доступна новая dev-сборка: {version}.",
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.action": "Открыть релиз",
 } as const

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ru/session.ts

@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ export const sessionMessages = {
   "sessionList.expand.expandAriaLabel": "Развернуть сессию",
   "sessionList.expand.collapseTitle": "Свернуть",
   "sessionList.expand.expandTitle": "Развернуть",
+  "sessionList.actions.newSession.ariaLabel": "Новая сессия",
+  "sessionList.actions.newSession.title": "Новая сессия",
   "sessionList.actions.copyId.ariaLabel": "Скопировать ID сессии",
   "sessionList.actions.copyId.title": "Скопировать ID сессии",
   "sessionList.actions.rename.ariaLabel": "Переименовать сессию",

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-Hans/app.ts

@@ -26,4 +26,11 @@ export const appMessages = {
   "releases.upgradeRequired.message.withVersion": "更新到 CodeNomad {version} 以使用最新的 UI。",
   "releases.upgradeRequired.message.noVersion": "更新 CodeNomad 以使用最新的 UI。",
   "releases.upgradeRequired.action.getUpdate": "获取更新",
+
+  "releases.uiUpdated.title": "UI 已更新",
+  "releases.uiUpdated.message": "UI 已更新到 {version}。",
+
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.title": "可用的开发版",
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.message": "有新的开发版可用：{version}。",
+  "releases.devUpdateAvailable.action": "查看发布",
 } as const

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-Hans/session.ts

@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ export const sessionMessages = {
   "sessionList.expand.expandAriaLabel": "展开会话",
   "sessionList.expand.collapseTitle": "折叠",
   "sessionList.expand.expandTitle": "展开",
+  "sessionList.actions.newSession.ariaLabel": "新建会话",
+  "sessionList.actions.newSession.title": "新建会话",
   "sessionList.actions.copyId.ariaLabel": "复制会话 ID",
   "sessionList.actions.copyId.title": "复制会话 ID",
   "sessionList.actions.rename.ariaLabel": "重命名会话",

packages/ui/src/lib/prompt-placeholders.ts

@@ -1,12 +1,59 @@
-import type { Attachment } from "../types/attachment"
+import type { Attachment, FileSource } from "../types/attachment"
 
 export function resolvePastedPlaceholders(prompt: string, attachments: Attachment[] = []): string {
-  if (!prompt || !prompt.includes("[pasted #")) {
+  if (!prompt) {
     return prompt
   }
 
+  const fileAttachments = new Set(
+    attachments
+      .filter((a): a is Attachment & { source: FileSource } => a.source.type === "file")
+      .map((a) => a.source.path),
+  )
+
+  const pathAttachments = new Set(
+    attachments
+      .filter((a) => a.source.type === "text" && typeof a.display === "string" && a.display.startsWith("path:"))
+      .map((a) => (a.source as { value: string }).value),
+  )
+
+  let result = prompt
+
+  // Step 1: Handle root paths FIRST using unique placeholders
+  // Replace longer pattern first to avoid partial match issues
+  result = result.replace(/@(\.\/)/g, "___ROOT___")
+  result = result.replace(/@(\.)(?!\.)/g, "___ROOT_NOSLASH___")
+  // Note: The regex @(\.)(?!\.) means @. NOT followed by another .
+
+  // Step 2: Build set of non-root paths
+  const allPaths = new Set<string>()
+  for (const p of fileAttachments) {
+    if (p && p !== "." && p !== "./") allPaths.add(p)
+  }
+  for (const p of pathAttachments) {
+    if (p && p !== "." && p !== "./") allPaths.add(p)
+  }
+
+  // Step 3: Replace @path with ./path for non-root paths
+  for (const path of allPaths) {
+    if (!path) continue
+    const withoutPrefix = path.startsWith("./") ? path.slice(2) : path
+    const withPrefix = path.startsWith("./") ? path : "./" + path
+    result = result.replace("@" + withoutPrefix, withPrefix)
+    result = result.replace("@" + withoutPrefix + "/", withPrefix + "/")
+  }
+
+  // Step 4: Convert placeholders back to ./
+  result = result.replace("___ROOT___", "./")
+  result = result.replace("___ROOT_NOSLASH___", "./")
+
+  // Step 5: Resolve [pasted #N] placeholders
+  if (!result.includes("[pasted #")) {
+    return result
+  }
+
   if (!attachments || attachments.length === 0) {
-    return prompt
+    return result
   }
 
   const lookup = new Map<string, string>()
@@ -15,7 +62,7 @@ export function resolvePastedPlaceholders(prompt: string, attachments: Attachmen
     const source = attachment?.source
     if (!source || source.type !== "text") continue
     const display = attachment?.display
-    const value = source.value
+    const value = (source as { value?: string }).value
     if (typeof display !== "string" || typeof value !== "string") continue
     const match = display.match(/pasted #(\d+)/)
     if (!match) continue
@@ -26,10 +73,10 @@ export function resolvePastedPlaceholders(prompt: string, attachments: Attachmen
   }
 
   if (lookup.size === 0) {
-    return prompt
+    return result
   }
 
-  return prompt.replace(/\[pasted #(\d+)\]/g, (fullMatch) => {
+  return result.replace(/\[pasted #(\d+)\]/g, (fullMatch) => {
     const replacement = lookup.get(fullMatch)
     return typeof replacement === "string" ? replacement : fullMatch
   })

packages/ui/src/stores/releases.ts

@@ -11,12 +11,15 @@ const log = getLogger("actions")
 const [supportInfo, setSupportInfo] = createSignal<SupportMeta | null>(null)
 
 const UI_VERSION_STORAGE_KEY = "codenomad:lastSeenUiVersion"
+const DEV_RELEASE_STORAGE_KEY = "codenomad:lastSeenDevRelease"
+const META_REFRESH_INTERVAL_MS = 10 * 60 * 1000
 
 let initialized = false
 let visibilityEffectInitialized = false
 let activeToast: ToastHandle | null = null
 let activeToastKey: string | null = null
 let uiUpdateToasted = false
+let metaRefreshInterval: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null = null
 
 function dismissActiveToast() {
   if (activeToast) {
@@ -80,6 +83,8 @@ async function refreshFromMeta() {
     const meta = await getServerMeta(true)
     setSupportInfo(meta.support ?? null)
     maybeNotifyUiUpdated(meta)
+    maybeNotifyDevReleaseAvailable(meta)
+    ensureMetaRefresh(meta)
   } catch (error) {
     log.warn("Unable to load server metadata for support info", error)
   }
@@ -115,6 +120,46 @@ function maybeNotifyUiUpdated(meta: ServerMeta) {
   })
 }
 
+function maybeNotifyDevReleaseAvailable(meta: ServerMeta) {
+  const update = meta.update
+  if (!update || !update.version || !update.url) return
+
+  const lastSeen = safeReadLocalStorage(DEV_RELEASE_STORAGE_KEY)
+  if (lastSeen === update.version) {
+    return
+  }
+
+  safeWriteLocalStorage(DEV_RELEASE_STORAGE_KEY, update.version)
+
+  showToastNotification({
+    title: tGlobal("releases.devUpdateAvailable.title"),
+    message: tGlobal("releases.devUpdateAvailable.message", { version: update.version }),
+    variant: "info",
+    duration: 12000,
+    position: "bottom-right",
+    action: {
+      label: tGlobal("releases.devUpdateAvailable.action"),
+      href: update.url,
+    },
+  })
+}
+
+function ensureMetaRefresh(meta: ServerMeta) {
+  if (metaRefreshInterval) return
+
+  const version = meta.serverVersion?.trim() ?? ""
+  const looksLikeDev = version.includes("-dev.") || version.includes("-dev-")
+  const hasDevUpdateChannel = Boolean(meta.update)
+
+  if (!looksLikeDev && !hasDevUpdateChannel) {
+    return
+  }
+
+  metaRefreshInterval = setInterval(() => {
+    void refreshFromMeta()
+  }, META_REFRESH_INTERVAL_MS)
+}
+
 function safeReadLocalStorage(key: string): string | null {
   try {
     if (typeof window === "undefined" || !window.localStorage) return null

packages/ui/src/stores/session-actions.ts

@@ -140,8 +140,11 @@ async function sendMessage(
         const display: string | undefined = att.display
         const value: unknown = source.value
         const isPastedPlaceholder = typeof display === "string" && /^pasted #\d+/.test(display)
+        const isPathPlaceholder = typeof display === "string" && /^path:/.test(display)
 
-        if (isPastedPlaceholder || typeof value !== "string") {
+        // Skip path: attachments from being sent as separate parts (content is already in prompt)
+        // Skip pasted placeholders too (already resolved in prompt)
+        if (isPastedPlaceholder || isPathPlaceholder || typeof value !== "string") {
           continue
         }
 

packages/ui/src/styles/markdown.css

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@import "github-markdown-css/github-markdown-dark.css";
+@import "github-markdown-css/github-markdown-light.css" layer(github-markdown-base);
 
 @layer components {
   .markdown-body {
@@ -108,17 +108,23 @@
     background: transparent;
   }
 
-  .markdown-body pre {
+  .markdown-body pre:not(.shiki) {
     font-family: var(--font-family-mono);
     font-size: var(--font-size-sm);
     line-height: var(--line-height-normal);
     background-color: var(--surface-code);
+    color: var(--text-primary);
     border: 1px solid var(--border-base);
     border-radius: 8px;
     padding: 0.75rem;
     margin: 1rem 0;
   }
 
+  .markdown-body pre:not(.shiki) code,
+  .markdown-code-block pre:not(.shiki) code {
+    color: var(--text-primary);
+  }
+
   .markdown-body blockquote {
     border-left: 3px solid var(--border-base);
     color: var(--text-secondary);
@@ -151,16 +157,6 @@
     width: 100%;
     margin: 1rem 0;
     background-color: transparent;
-    display: block;
-    padding-right: 0.75rem;
-  }
-
-  .markdown-body thead,
-  .markdown-body tbody,
-  .markdown-body tfoot {
-    width: 100%;
-    display: table;
-    table-layout: fixed;
   }
 
   .markdown-body th,
@@ -168,12 +164,22 @@
     border: 1px solid var(--border-base);
     padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem;
     text-align: left;
+    color: var(--text-primary);
+    background-color: transparent;
   }
 
   .markdown-body th {
     background-color: var(--surface-secondary);
   }
 
+  .markdown-body tbody > tr:nth-child(odd) > td {
+    background-color: var(--markdown-table-row-odd);
+  }
+
+  .markdown-body tbody > tr:nth-child(even) > td {
+    background-color: var(--markdown-table-row-even);
+  }
+
   .markdown-code-block {
     position: relative;
     margin: 10px 0;

packages/ui/src/styles/tokens.css

@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
   --surface-muted: #f8fafc;
   --surface-code: #f1f5f9;
   --surface-hover: #e0e0e0;
+  --markdown-table-row-odd: transparent;
+  --markdown-table-row-even: #f1f5f9;
   
   /* Border tokens */
   --border-base: #e0e0e0;
@@ -180,6 +182,8 @@
     --surface-muted: #212529;
     --surface-code: #1a1a1a;
     --surface-hover: #3a3a3a;
+    --markdown-table-row-odd: #0f1114;
+    --markdown-table-row-even: #181c22;
     
     /* Border tokens */
     --border-base: #3a3a3a;
@@ -347,6 +351,8 @@
   --surface-muted: #212529;
   --surface-code: #1a1a1a;
   --surface-hover: #3a3a3a;
+  --markdown-table-row-odd: #0f1114;
+  --markdown-table-row-even: #181c22;
   
   /* Border tokens */
   --border-base: #3a3a3a;