interactive-shell

Control and supervise interactive CLI sessions via overlay or headless dispatch.

561|48|Updated Jan 18, 2026

Search Tags:#dispatch #hands-free #interactive-shell #interactive CLI #Pi overlay #background session #terminal automation

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/nicobailon/pi-interactive-shell --skill interactive-shell

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: interactive-shell
Source: https://github.com/nicobailon/pi-interactive-shell/tree/main
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/nicobailon/pi-interactive-shell --skill interactive-shell

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

The interactive-shell skill enables Pi to supervise and manage interactive CLI tasks, either through an observable overlay or in headless dispatch mode, so agents can watch progress, intervene, or delegate work without losing control of long-running processes.

Core Features & Use Cases

Foreground subagents run in an overlay where users can interact and steer the session.
Hands-free monitoring provides periodic updates while the agent watches, with optional auto-exit on quiet.
Dispatch and background modes allow fire-and-forget tasks, reattach workflows, and transfer of output for downstream processing.

Quick Start

Use the interactive_shell skill to launch a long-running command and observe results in an overlay: interactive_shell({ command: 'npm run dev' })

Frequently Asked Questions about interactive-shell

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I supervise interactive CLI sessions in background mode?▼

You can supervise interactive CLI sessions by using headless dispatch mode to run fire-and-forget tasks, monitor progress hands-free with periodic updates, and reattach to background processes without losing control.

What is the best way to monitor long-running terminal commands hands-free?▼

The best way to monitor long-running terminal commands hands-free is by using an interactive overlay that provides periodic updates while the agent watches the process, with an optional auto-exit feature that triggers when the output goes quiet.

Can I run foreground subagents in an interactive overlay and steer the session?▼

Yes, you can run foreground subagents in an observable overlay UI where you can directly interact with and steer the interactive CLI session as it executes in real time.

Does interactive-shell require node-pty and xterm libraries for terminal automation?▼

Yes, interactive-shell relies on the pi-coding-agent environment, node-pty, and @xterm headless libraries to orchestrate PTY sessions, render overlays, and manage transfer and detach capabilities.

How do I transfer terminal output for downstream processing after dispatching a command?▼

You can transfer terminal output for downstream processing by using the dispatch and background modes, which support reattach workflows and allow you to move the output from the supervised PTY session to other systems.

When should I avoid using an interactive overlay for CLI tasks?▼

You should avoid using an interactive overlay for CLI tasks when you need pure fire-and-forget execution without observation, in which case headless dispatch is more suitable for running the background session silently.