Detection Status Indicator
Active, idle, or done: see it on the tab without switching to it.
Questions this answers
- How do I know when Claude Code is done in my terminal?
- Is there a visual indicator for AI agent status in terminal?
- Terminal tab status for running AI sessions
- How to see if my AI coding agent is still working?
How it works
Each tab with a detected AI agent displays a small status badge that reflects the agent's current state. An active indicator appears while the agent process is running and consuming CPU. When the agent is waiting for input or idle, the indicator shifts to a resting state. Once the agent process exits, the indicator marks the session as completed.
The status is derived from process state monitoring rather than output parsing, so it works reliably across all agents regardless of their output format or verbosity settings.
Why it matters
AI agents can run for minutes or hours. The current workflow for checking progress: switch tab, scroll, squint, switch back. The Chau7 workflow: glance at the tab bar. A small status badge tells you whether each agent is actively working, waiting for input, or finished. It saves exactly one context switch per check, which adds up to dozens per day.
Frequently asked questions
What states does the indicator show?
Three states: active (the agent process is running), idle (the process is alive but waiting), and completed (the process has exited). Each state has a distinct visual treatment.
Does the indicator work with background AI processes?
Yes. As long as the AI process is a descendant of the tab's shell process, the indicator tracks it regardless of whether it is in the foreground or background.