[BUG] [UX] App hangs for ~35 seconds after pressing ENTER with no feedback

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

After pressing ENTER to submit a prompt, the Claude Code app hangs/freezes
for approximately 35 seconds with NO visual feedback. During this time:

• No spinner or loading indicator appears
• Cannot click on the input field
• Cannot interact with the app at all
• User has no idea if the app is working or crashed

Only after ~35 seconds does the status message (e.g., "Pontificating...")
finally appear.

What Should Happen?

• Spinner or loading indicator should appear IMMEDIATELY after pressing ENTER
• App should remain responsive
• Show informative status like:
• "Connecting to server..."
• "Preparing request..."
• "Authenticating..."

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open Claude Code
2. Type a prompt in the input field
3. Press ENTER
4. Observe that the app becomes unresponsive
5. Wait ~35 seconds
6. Finally see the loading status appear

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

1.0.3218 (8679c9)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

Impact:

• Very frustrating user experience
• User thinks the app has crashed
• Tempted to force quit and restart

Suggested Solution:
Show an immediate spinner with status messages like:

• "Connecting..." (0-5 seconds)
• "Preparing..." (5-10 seconds)
• "Processing..." (10+ seconds)

Or at minimum, show a spinner immediately after ENTER is pressed.