Show operator questions as an inset overlay

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -13,6 +13,12 @@ parallel copies under `docs/` or `scripts/notes/`. At cut time: rename
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+### TUI
+
+- `ask_operator` is an inset overlay again so the transcript stays visible while
+  the operator answers.
+- The `full_shell` overlay mode is removed; every overlay is inset.
+
 ## [0.3.7] - 2026-08-27
 
 ### Fixed

src/tui/geometry.test.ts

@@ -438,18 +438,6 @@ describe("resolveGeometry — overlay modes", () => {
     });
     expect(layout.overlayHeight).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(5);
   });
-
-  test("full_shell hides transcript and gives residual to overlay_host", () => {
-    const layout = idle80x24({
-      overlay: { mode: "full_shell", bodyRows: 20 },
-    });
-    expect(layout.overlayMode).toBe("full_shell");
-    expect(layout.transcriptHeight).toBe(0);
-    expect(layout.heights.prompt).toBe(0);
-    expect(layout.heights.notice).toBe(0);
-    expect(layout.overlayHeight).toBeGreaterThan(0);
-    expect(layout.overlayHeight + layout.chromeHeight).toBe(24);
-  });
 });
 
 describe("resolveGeometry — resize / residual", () => {

src/tui/geometry/resolve.ts

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ export interface TerminalSize {
   readonly rows: number;
 }
 
-export type OverlayMode = "closed" | "inset" | "full_shell";
+export type OverlayMode = "closed" | "inset";
 
 export interface OverlayInput {
   readonly mode: OverlayMode;
@@ -173,7 +173,6 @@ function sumChrome(heights: MutableHeights): number {
 }
 
 function transcriptFloorFor(mode: OverlayMode, terminalRows: number): number {
-  if (mode === "full_shell") return 0;
   if (mode === "inset") {
     // Proposed ≥ 8 on 24-row; scale gently on shorter terminals.
     if (terminalRows < 24)
@@ -199,11 +198,6 @@ function desiredOverlayHeight(
   const requested = input.overlay?.bodyRows ?? Math.floor(rows * 0.4);
   const fracCap = Math.floor(rows * OVERLAY_MAX_FRACTION);
 
-  if (mode === "full_shell") {
-    // Overlay owns residual after any remaining chrome (usually 0 after hide).
-    return Math.max(0, rows - chrome);
-  }
-
   // inset: leave transcript floor; never exceed fraction cap
   const floorSafe = Math.max(0, rows - chrome - floor);
   return clamp(requested, 0, Math.min(fracCap, floorSafe));
@@ -326,40 +320,6 @@ export function resolveGeometry(input: GeometryInput): GeometryLayout {
   const sideMargin = resolveSideMargin(terminal.columns);
   const layoutMode: LayoutMode = "stack";
 
-  // Full-shell modal: hide transcript and bottom chrome; overlay owns residual.
-  if (mode === "full_shell") {
-    heights.transcript = 0;
-    heights.task = 0;
-    heights.agents = 0;
-    heights.plugin_banner = 0;
-    heights.command_banner = 0;
-    heights.settings_notice = 0;
-    heights.progress = 0;
-    heights.progress_divider = 0;
-    heights.notice = 0;
-    heights.prompt = 0;
-    const chrome = sumChrome(heights);
-    heights.overlay_host = Math.max(0, terminal.rows - chrome);
-    const regions = assignRects(heights, terminal);
-    return {
-      terminal,
-      transcriptHeight: 0,
-      chromeHeight: chrome,
-      overlayHeight: heights.overlay_host,
-      regions,
-      heights,
-      collapsed,
-      overlayMode: mode,
-      transcriptFloor: floor,
-      sideMargin,
-      contentWidth,
-      layoutMode,
-      chatWidth: contentWidth,
-      railWidth: 0,
-      railGutter: 0,
-    };
-  }
-
   // Cap prompt growth against floor before overlay allocation.
   const promptCap = Math.max(PROMPT_BASE_ROWS, Math.floor(terminal.rows * PROMPT_CAP_FRACTION));
   if (heights.prompt > promptCap) heights.prompt = promptCap;

src/tui/landing.test.ts

@@ -432,8 +432,7 @@ describe("landing screen", () => {
           // Heavy inset permission overlay: many choices plus a multi-line body
           // so the float must take real headroom from the landing split. A
           // three-item empty body leaves message delta 0 and would pass even if
-          // the split never slid. Operator asks use full_shell (CL-7067) and
-          // hide the landing instead — that path is covered in overlays.test.ts.
+          // the split never slid.
           const heavyBody = [
             "run_shell",
             "Run shell command",
@@ -479,8 +478,6 @@ describe("landing screen", () => {
   // float only asked the split for one choice row of headroom. It now asks for
   // the overlay's real, already fraction-capped content height, so a terminal
   // tall enough for that content shows every choice without scrolling.
-  // Operator full_shell hides the landing (CL-7067); this coverage stays on
-  // the inset permission path that still floats over landing.
   test("a landing overlay with many choices shows them all when there is room", async () => {
     await withTestRenderer(
       async (h) => {

src/tui/overlays.test.ts

@@ -192,7 +192,8 @@ describe("operator question overlay", () => {
         try {
           openOperatorOverlay(shell);
           expect(shell.overlayKind).toBe("operator");
-          expect(shell.layout.overlayMode).toBe("full_shell");
+          expect(shell.layout.overlayMode).toBe("inset");
+          expect(shell.layout.transcriptHeight).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(OVERLAY_TRANSCRIPT_FLOOR);
           expect(shell.overlayBodyLines.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
           expect(shell.overlayItems.length).toBeGreaterThan(3);
           expect(focusOwner(shell.focus)).toBe("overlay");
@@ -223,68 +224,6 @@ describe("operator question overlay", () => {
       { width: 80, height: 24 },
     );
   });
-
-  test("full_shell decisionContext budget shows more body rows than inset", async () => {
-    // Same long body under both modes: inset stays capped at DECISION_CONTEXT_ROWS
-    // (8), while full_shell raises the cap with terminal height so a long ask
-    // stays readable (CL-7067). Mode-only asserts are not enough — pin the
-    // budget branch that actually shapes overlayBodyLines.
-    const longBody = [
-      "Should we proceed with the destructive reset of the working tree?",
-      ...Array.from({ length: 24 }, (_, i) => `Context line ${i + 1}.`),
-    ].join("\n");
-    const choices = [
-      "Cancel — keep working tree",
-      "Allow this once",
-      "Allow for this session",
-    ] as const;
-    const size = { width: 80, height: 40 } as const;
-
-    async function bodyLineCount(mode: "inset" | "full_shell"): Promise<{
-      readonly lines: number;
-      readonly body: readonly string[];
-      readonly frame: string;
-    }> {
-      return withTestRenderer(async (h) => {
-        const shell = createAppShell(h.renderer, {
-          terminal: { columns: size.width, rows: size.height },
-          wireKeys: false,
-          run: "idle",
-        });
-        try {
-          openListOverlay(shell, {
-            kind: "operator",
-            title: "",
-            body: longBody,
-            items: [...choices],
-            overlayMode: mode,
-            frameId: `overlay-operator-${mode}`,
-          });
-          expect(shell.layout.overlayMode).toBe(mode);
-          await h.renderOnce();
-          await h.renderOnce();
-          return {
-            lines: shell.overlayBodyLines.length,
-            body: shell.overlayBodyLines,
-            frame: h.captureCharFrame(),
-          };
-        } finally {
-          shell.dispose();
-        }
-      }, size);
-    }
-
-    const inset = await bodyLineCount("inset");
-    const full = await bodyLineCount("full_shell");
-    expect(full.lines).toBeGreaterThan(inset.lines);
-    // Short, non-wrapping context lines map 1:1 to the budget. Inset caps at
-    // eight context rows (then dither + tail); full_shell's raised cap keeps a
-    // mid-body line the inset path drops.
-    expect(full.body.some((line) => line.includes("Context line 12."))).toBe(true);
-    expect(inset.body.some((line) => line.includes("Context line 12."))).toBe(false);
-    expect(full.frame).toContain("Context line 12.");
-    expect(inset.frame).not.toContain("Context line 12.");
-  });
 });
 
 describe("model / provider picker", () => {

src/tui/overlays.ts

@@ -148,9 +148,7 @@ export function openOperatorOverlay(shell: AppShell, opts?: OpenOperatorOpts): v
     items: choices,
     activeIndex: opts?.activeIndex ?? 0,
     frameId: "overlay-operator",
-    // Full shell so long questions and option lists stay readable (CL-7067).
-    // Permission gates keep the default inset path.
-    overlayMode: "full_shell",
+    // Chat-first: keep the transcript visible while the operator answers.
     ...(opts?.itemIds !== undefined ? { itemIds: opts.itemIds } : {}),
     ...(opts?.onAccept !== undefined ? { onAccept: opts.onAccept } : {}),
     ...(opts?.onTextAnswer !== undefined ? { onTextAnswer: opts.onTextAnswer } : {}),

src/tui/shell.ts

@@ -1282,12 +1282,8 @@ function relayoutOverlayHost(shell: AppShell, itemCount: number): void {
   const perItem = overlayRowsPerItem(shell.overlayKind);
   const hostRows = overlayHostRows(shell, shell.overlayBodyLines.length, itemCount * perItem);
   const minHostRows = overlayMinHostRows(shell, shell.overlayBodyLines.length, itemCount > 0);
-  // Preserve the mode the open chose (operator uses full_shell; others inset).
-  // Hardcoding inset here would collapse a full_shell ask on every list refresh.
-  const bag = internals.get(shell);
-  const mode: OverlayMode = bag?.overlayMode === "full_shell" ? "full_shell" : "inset";
   relayout(shell, {
-    overlayMode: mode,
+    overlayMode: "inset",
     overlayBodyRows: hostRows,
     overlayMinBodyRows: minHostRows,
   });
@@ -1941,8 +1937,6 @@ interface PriorOverlaySnapshot {
   readonly onCancel: (() => void) | null;
   readonly addProviderHint: boolean;
   readonly setDefaultHint: boolean;
-  /** Geometry mode the primary used before the palette stacked over it. */
-  readonly overlayMode: OverlayMode;
 }
 
 interface ShellInternals {
@@ -3435,16 +3429,6 @@ function decisionContextBudget(
 ): number {
   const fixedChrome =
     OVERLAY_HOST_BORDER_ROWS + overlayTitleRows(kind) + DECISION_HEADER_AND_TRAILER_ROWS;
-  // full_shell owns residual after chrome — drop the inset fraction cap so a
-  // longer question can use the extra rows instead of staying clipped at eight.
-  const bag = internals.get(shell);
-  if (bag?.overlayMode === "full_shell") {
-    const maxOverlayRows = Math.max(0, terminalHeight - PROMPT_BASE_ROWS);
-    const baseline =
-      maxOverlayRows - DECISION_CHOICE_ROWS - fixedChrome - DECISION_CONTEXT_BLANK_ROWS;
-    const fullCap = Math.max(DECISION_CONTEXT_ROWS, Math.floor(terminalHeight / 2));
-    return Math.max(0, Math.min(fullCap, baseline));
-  }
   // The resolver never lets the overlay host past the fraction cap even when
   // the transcript floor and every other zone have already given up their
   // rows, so that cap — not just the prompt floor — bounds how much context
@@ -3570,12 +3554,6 @@ export interface OpenListOverlayOpts {
    * server needs authorization.
    */
   readonly echoChoice?: boolean;
-  /**
-   * Geometry mode for this open. Defaults to inset. Operator asks use
-   * full_shell so long questions and option lists stay readable; permission
-   * gates stay inset unless a caller opts in.
-   */
-  readonly overlayMode?: "inset" | "full_shell";
   /**
    * Claim printable keys for a `>` filter row so the list narrows as you type.
    * Opt-in per open (model picker, palette). Overlays without it keep j/k
@@ -3630,7 +3608,6 @@ export function openListOverlay(shell: AppShell, opts?: OpenListOverlayOpts): vo
           onCancel: bag.overlayOnCancel,
           addProviderHint: bag.overlayAddProviderHint,
           setDefaultHint: bag.overlaySetDefaultHint,
-          overlayMode: bag.overlayMode === "full_shell" ? "full_shell" : "inset",
         };
       }
       // Leave prior overlay focus frame; palette will stack above it.
@@ -3650,9 +3627,6 @@ export function openListOverlay(shell: AppShell, opts?: OpenListOverlayOpts): vo
 
   const bag = internals.get(shell);
   if (bag) {
-    // Mode must land before applyOverlayBodyText so decisionContextBudget can
-    // size the body against full_shell vs inset. Palette is always inset.
-    bag.overlayMode = !isPalette && opts?.overlayMode === "full_shell" ? "full_shell" : "inset";
     // Palette open does not own primary accept; leave prior snapshot's callback.
     if (!isPalette) {
       bag.overlayItemIds = opts?.itemIds ? [...opts.itemIds] : [];
@@ -4131,7 +4105,6 @@ export function closeInsetOverlay(shell: AppShell): void {
     bag.overlayOnCancel = prior.onCancel;
     bag.overlayAddProviderHint = prior.addProviderHint;
     bag.overlaySetDefaultHint = prior.setDefaultHint;
-    bag.overlayMode = prior.overlayMode === "full_shell" ? "full_shell" : "inset";
     // If focus was not stacked (edge case), re-open overlay frame.
     if (focusOwner(shell.focus) !== "overlay") {
       shell.focus = openOverlay(shell.focus, OVERLAY_FRAME_ID, {
@@ -4143,7 +4116,7 @@ export function closeInsetOverlay(shell: AppShell): void {
     const hostRows = overlayHostRows(shell, prior.bodyLines.length, listH);
     const minHostRows = overlayMinHostRows(shell, prior.bodyLines.length, prior.list.count > 0);
     relayout(shell, {
-      overlayMode: bag.overlayMode,
+      overlayMode: "inset",
       overlayBodyRows: hostRows,
       overlayMinBodyRows: minHostRows,
     });
@@ -4252,10 +4225,8 @@ export function setOverlayBody(shell: AppShell, text: string, maxLines = 8): voi
     shell.overlayBodyLines.length,
     shell.overlayItems.length > 0,
   );
-  const bag = internals.get(shell);
-  const mode: OverlayMode = bag?.overlayMode === "full_shell" ? "full_shell" : "inset";
   relayout(shell, {
-    overlayMode: mode,
+    overlayMode: "inset",
     overlayBodyRows: hostRows,
     overlayMinBodyRows: minHostRows,
   });