'%3e%3crect%20x='128'%20y='122'%20width='263'%20height='88'%20rx='36'%20fill='%232878ef'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%20transform='rotate(7%20237%20258)'%3e%3crect%20x='128'%20y='215'%20width='216'%20height='82'%20rx='34'%20fill='%23f58220'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%20transform='rotate(-5%20259%20350)'%3e%3crect%20x='128'%20y='304'%20width='264'%20height='88'%20rx='36'%20fill='%23ed438b'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
What conversation statuses mean
Ready, Working, Needs input, Stopped, Failed, Completed. What each status tells you, where you see it, and what to do next.
Every conversation has a status. It tells you whether the agent is busy, waiting for you, or done, so you know where your attention is needed.
Where you see it
- Under the conversation’s title. The status sits there with the one action that fits it, such as Stop while the agent works or Complete when it’s done. Select the status itself to open the agent’s activity. See Follow what your agent is doing.
- In the conversation list. Each conversation shows its status as a small badge. Ready isn’t shown there.
- On the Conversations tab. In the bar at the top of the project, a spinner with a number shows how many agents are working. A message icon with a number shows how many conversations need your attention because they’re waiting for your answer or approval, or have unread replies.
What each status means
| Status | What it means and what to do |
|---|---|
| Ready | The agent isn’t working. Send a message whenever you like. |
| Working | The agent is working. A timer shows how long it has been at it. The indicator below the latest message names the current step. |
| Compacting | The agent is summarizing the earlier part of a long conversation so it can keep going. Wait for it to finish. |
| Needs input | The agent asked a question or wants permission. In the list this appears as Needs you. Open the conversation and answer. |
| Stopped | You stopped the agent. Select Retry to continue, or send new instructions. |
| Failed | The request couldn’t finish. The conversation explains why and offers Retry. |
| Completed | You marked the conversation as completed. Select Reopen to undo that. |
| Couldn’t load | Enjoy couldn’t read the conversation’s file. |
For help with Failed and Couldn’t load, see A conversation failed. For questions and permission requests, see Answer your agent’s questions and Approve or decline agent requests.
Other signs in the conversation list
- A dot on the message icon means the conversation has replies you haven’t read. The number beside the icon is how many messages the conversation has.
- A clock with a number shows messages that are queued or waiting to send. See Send follow-ups while the agent works.
- A Needs you box shows the agent’s question or request right in the list. Select Respond to open the conversation at the question. In Compact view, a Needs you badge appears instead.
- A colored label is the short name the agent gave the conversation. See How conversations get their names.
- The agent’s name and a date show which agent the conversation uses and when its latest message arrived.
- Group headings appear once any conversation works in a worktree, a separate copy of your project. Conversations are grouped by the folder they work in. See Try ideas side by side in worktrees.
- A small circle with an initial appears in shared projects and shows who started the conversation.
To show only some conversations, use the filters above the list: All, Needs you, Working, and Unread. Each shows how many conversations it contains. See Find a conversation.