Feature: allow an interactive mini-game (or custom renderer) in the thinking spinner slot
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
What I'd like
Today the thinking indicator shows a random verb (Marinating…, Osmosing…, etc.).
settings.json already supports spinnerVerbs ({ mode: "append"|"replace", verbs: string[] })
to swap that text — but it's static strings only.
I'd love the option to render something interactive in that slot while Claude is
processing — e.g. a tiny built-in mini-game (snake / 2048 / clicker) or a pluggable
renderer that can take keyboard input and animate, then auto-dismiss when the response
arrives.
### Today's limitation
spinnerVerbs is verbs: string[] (static text the CLI rotates) — no input loop, so a
playable game isn't expressible. This asks to extend that slot to an interactive surface.
### Environment
- Claude Code CLI 2.1.177
- macOS (darwin)
Proposed Solution
- A new
spinnerWidgetsetting:{ type: "game", game: "snake" | "2048" | "clicker" },
or { type: "command", command: "..." } for a user-supplied TUI renderer that owns the
slot until the turn completes.
- Captures arrow/WASD keys only while thinking; releases on response.
- Falls back to normal verbs when unset.
Alternative Solutions
_No response_
Priority
Critical - Blocking my work
Feature Category
CLI commands and flags
Use Case Example
_No response_
Additional Context
_No response_