openclaw - 💡(How to fix) Fix [Feature]: Real-time console/activity stream in webchat while awaiting response [1 comments, 2 participants]

Problem

When a user sends a message in the OpenClaw webchat UI, there is no visual feedback while the agent is processing the request. The chat appears completely frozen with no spinner, no progress indicator, nothing until the full response arrives.

This creates a poor UX because:

• Users cannot tell if the system is working or has hung
• Long-running agent tasks (tool calls, subagents, web scraping, etc.) can take minutes with zero indication of progress
• It feels like the app has crashed, especially on slower models or complex multi-step tasks
• Users may refresh or resend messages thinking nothing is happening

Proposed Solution

Add a real-time console/activity stream to the webchat UI that shows what the agent is doing while processing a response.

Option A: Collapsible console output panel

A dropdown/expandable panel below or beside the chat input area showing a live stream of agent activity: API calls being made, tool invocations and results, model thinking/reasoning status, subagent spawns and completions, token streaming progress. Auto-collapses once the final response is delivered.

Option B: Inline activity indicators

Small expandable status badges inline in the chat (e.g. tool call in progress with click to expand). Shows the chain of operations the agent performed. Remains visible after response for transparency.

Option C: Streaming response with live step indicators

Stream the response token-by-token. Additionally show interim status lines like tool calls, subagent runs, and completion indicators.

Why This Matters

1. Trust: Users need to see that something is happening
2. Debugging: Visible agent activity helps users understand the system
3. Patience: Visible progress means users wait longer without frustration
4. Parity: CLI users see real-time output, webchat should too
5. Prevents duplicates: Users wont re-send if they can see activity

Additional Context

Related bug: user messages can disappear from the webchat before receiving a response with no confirmation the message was received. A minimal fix would show a message-received indicator immediately after sending.