Feature request: collapsible tool call output in CLI (parity with desktop app)

Resolved 💬 3 comments Opened Apr 20, 2026 by OpsKern Closed Apr 24, 2026

Summary

The desktop app collapses tool call output by default (Bash, git, file reads, etc.) and lets users expand when needed. The CLI displays everything fully expanded, which creates significant noise for multi-step tasks.

Desired behavior

A setting or flag to collapse tool output to a single summary line (e.g. ▶ bash) in the terminal UI, with the ability to expand on demand — matching the desktop app experience.

Suggested implementation

  • New setting: "verboseOutput": false in settings.json (or similar)
  • Or a CLI flag: --collapse-tools
  • When collapsed: show one line per tool call (tool name + status)
  • Full output still accessible via expansion or scrollback

Workarounds tried

  • viewMode: "focus" — filters transcript-level, does not collapse individual tool output

Environment

  • Claude Code CLI (terminal)
  • macOS

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