Feature request: customizable thinking spinner messages

Open 💬 0 comments Opened Jun 15, 2026 by simonesilvestri-SG

Preflight Checklist

  • [x] I have searched existing requests and this feature hasn't been requested yet
  • [x] This is a single feature request (not multiple features)

Problem Statement

Feature request

Allow users to customize the thinking spinner messages (currently
hardcoded strings like "✶ Undulating…", "✻ Crunched for Xs", etc.)
via a configuration option in settings.json.

Proposed behavior

Add an optional field in settings, e.g.:

{
"thinkingMessages": [
"frullanting…",
"incredibiling…",
"spippolanting…",
"scervelanting…",
"sparating…",
"massimoorsing…",
"stramazzing…",
"moltomaling…",
"buongiornouncazzing…",
"marinanting…"
]
}

When set, these replace the default message pool for the thinking spinner.

Why this matters

  • Teams working in non-English languages get odd immersion breaks

from English filler text

  • It's a low-effort, high-delight customization
  • "frullanting" deserves to exist in the world

Proposed Solution

Feature request

Allow users to customize the thinking spinner messages (currently
hardcoded strings like "✶ Undulating…", "✻ Crunched for Xs", etc.)
via a configuration option in settings.json.

Proposed behavior

Add an optional field in settings, e.g.:

{
"thinkingMessages": [
"frullanting…",
"incredibiling…",
"spippolanting…",
"scervelanting…",
"sparating…",
"massimoorsing…",
"stramazzing…",
"moltomaling…",
"buongiornouncazzing…",
"marinanting…"
]
}

When set, these replace the default message pool for the thinking spinner.

Why this matters

  • Teams working in non-English languages get odd immersion breaks

from English filler text

  • It's a low-effort, high-delight customization
  • "frullanting" deserves to exist in the world

Alternative Solutions

Feature request

Allow users to customize the thinking spinner messages (currently
hardcoded strings like "✶ Undulating…", "✻ Crunched for Xs", etc.)
via a configuration option in settings.json.

Proposed behavior

Add an optional field in settings, e.g.:

{
"thinkingMessages": [
"frullanting…",
"incredibiling…",
"spippolanting…",
"scervelanting…",
"sparating…",
"massimoorsing…",
"stramazzing…",
"moltomaling…",
"buongiornouncazzing…",
"marinanting…"
]
}

When set, these replace the default message pool for the thinking spinner.

Why this matters

  • Teams working in non-English languages get odd immersion breaks

from English filler text

  • It's a low-effort, high-delight customization
  • "frullanting" deserves to exist in the world

Priority

Low - Nice to have

Feature Category

CLI commands and flags

Use Case Example

_No response_

Additional Context

Feature request

Allow users to customize the thinking spinner messages (currently
hardcoded strings like "✶ Undulating…", "✻ Crunched for Xs", etc.)
via a configuration option in settings.json.

Proposed behavior

Add an optional field in settings, e.g.:

{
"thinkingMessages": [
"frullanting…",
"incredibiling…",
"spippolanting…",
"scervelanting…",
"sparating…",
"massimoorsing…",
"stramazzing…",
"moltomaling…",
"buongiornouncazzing…",
"marinanting…"
]
}

When set, these replace the default message pool for the thinking spinner.

Why this matters

  • Teams working in non-English languages get odd immersion breaks

from English filler text

  • It's a low-effort, high-delight customization
  • "frullanting" deserves to exist in the world

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