feat: add session persistence to CLI

- Add save-only endpoint (POST /conversations/{id}/save) for persisting
  messages without triggering agent execution
- Add sessions command to list previous conversation sessions
- Add --resume flag to chat command for resuming sessions by ID
- Buffer streamed responses and save after completion
- Update AGENTS.md with session commands and remove outdated limitation
- Add 3 new tests for save endpoint (208 total)

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

AGENTS.md

@@ -88,13 +88,29 @@ cd webber-cli
 # Check API connection
 .venv/bin/webber-cli status
 
-# Explore a directory
-.venv/bin/webber-cli explore "find all python files" -d ../webber-sandbox
-
-# Interactive chat mode
+# Interactive chat (default mode - full capabilities)
 .venv/bin/webber-cli chat -d ../webber-sandbox
+
+# Read-only mode (safe exploration and planning)
+.venv/bin/webber-cli chat --mode plan -d ../webber-sandbox
+
+# Auto-accept mode (no approval prompts - use with caution)
+.venv/bin/webber-cli chat --mode auto_accept -d ../webber-sandbox
+
+# List previous sessions
+.venv/bin/webber-cli sessions
+
+# Resume a previous session
+.venv/bin/webber-cli chat --resume <session-id>
 ```
 
+**CLI Features:**
+- **Tab completion** for commands and file paths
+- **Command history** persisted to `~/.webber_history`
+- **Session persistence** - conversations saved and resumable
+- **Runtime mode switching** via `mode plan|default|auto_accept`
+- **Directory navigation** via `cd <path>`
+
 **Note:** The API server must be running for CLI commands to work.
 
 ---
@@ -153,9 +169,10 @@ pytest tests/ -v
 # 1. Load the template
 ./sandbox.sh load calculator-cli
 
-# 2. Have Webber explore it
+# 2. Have Webber explore it (plan mode = read-only)
 cd webber-cli
-.venv/bin/webber-cli explore "find all bugs in the code" -d ../webber-sandbox
+.venv/bin/webber-cli chat --mode plan -d ../webber-sandbox
+# Then ask: "find all bugs in the code"
 
 # 3. Check TASKS.md for expected bugs
 cat ../webber-sandbox/TASKS.md
@@ -258,7 +275,5 @@ cd webber-api
 ## Known Limitations
 
 1. **Model hallucination** - Mistral Nemo sometimes makes up file contents instead of using tool results
-2. **No conversation memory** - CLI chat mode doesn't persist between sessions
-3. **No streaming** - Responses appear all at once
 
 See `webber-api/docs/COVERAGE.md` for full feature coverage status.

webber-api/docs/COVERAGE.md

@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@
 
 > Tracking progress towards Claude Code-like functionality
 
-## Current Status: ~80% Complete
+## Current Status: ~85% Complete
 
-Last updated: 2026-01-11
+Last updated: 2026-01-14
 
 ---
 
@@ -122,11 +122,13 @@ Last updated: 2026-01-11
 |---------|----------|-------------|------------|
 | **Web search summarizer** | Tools | Agent to extract core content from web pages (remove nav, footers, etc.) and preserve relevant links for nested fetching | Medium |
 | **Tool result caching** | Infrastructure | Cache file reads for performance | Low |
-| **Session persistence** | CLI | Save/resume conversations | Medium |
+| ~~**Session persistence**~~ | CLI | ✅ Save/resume conversations via `sessions` and `chat --resume` | Medium |
 | **Todo tracking** | CLI | Built-in task list (`/todo`) | Medium |
 | **Git integration** | CLI | Auto-commit, branch management | Medium |
-| **Agent handoff** | Orchestration | Explore → Plan → Task workflow | High |
+| ~~**Agent handoff**~~ | Orchestration | ✅ Task agent is main agent, spawns Explore/Plan as needed (Claude Code pattern) | High |
 | ~~**Retry logic**~~ | Infrastructure | ✅ Auto-retry with exponential backoff | Low |
+| ~~**Permission modes**~~ | CLI | ✅ default/plan/auto_accept modes controlling tool access | Medium |
+| ~~**CLI shell features**~~ | CLI | ✅ prompt_toolkit: history, tab completion, auto-suggest | Low |
 
 ### Low Priority
 
@@ -149,14 +151,14 @@ Last updated: 2026-01-11
 | API tests | 11 | 11 | ✅ |
 | Plan agent tests | 15 | 15 | ✅ |
 | Task agent tests | 15 | 15 | ✅ |
-| Conversation tests | 19 | 19 | ✅ |
+| Conversation tests | 22 | 22 | ✅ |
 | Token tests | 6 | 6 | ✅ |
 | Retry tests | 29 | 29 | ✅ |
 | Security tests | 14 | 14 | ✅ |
 | Integration tests | 10 | 10 | ✅ Agent + real LLM |
 | E2E tests | 12 | 12 | ✅ Full API workflow |
 
-**Total: 205 tests passing**
+**Total: 208 tests passing**
 
 **Test breakdown:**
 - Read/Glob/Grep tools: 17 tests
@@ -167,7 +169,7 @@ Last updated: 2026-01-11
 - API endpoints: 11 tests
 - Plan agent: 15 tests
 - Task agent: 15 tests
-- Conversations: 19 tests
+- Conversations: 22 tests
 - Tokens: 6 tests
 - Retry: 29 tests
 - Security: 14 tests
@@ -224,9 +226,9 @@ cd webber-api && ./wakeup.sh
 
 # CLI commands (from webber-cli/)
 .venv/bin/webber-cli status                    # Check API connection
-.venv/bin/webber-cli explore "find tests"      # One-shot exploration
-.venv/bin/webber-cli explore "query" --no-stream  # Batch mode
-.venv/bin/webber-cli chat                      # Interactive mode
+.venv/bin/webber-cli chat                      # Interactive mode (Task agent, full tools)
+.venv/bin/webber-cli chat --mode plan          # Read-only mode (safe exploration)
+.venv/bin/webber-cli chat --mode auto_accept   # No approval prompts (use with caution)
 
 # API endpoints
 curl http://localhost:8095/health

webber-api/src/domains/conversations/router.py

@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ from src.domains.conversations.schemas import (
     ConversationResponse,
     CreateConversationRequest,
     MessageResponse,
+    SaveMessagesRequest,
+    SaveMessagesResponse,
 )
 from src.domains.conversations.service import ConversationService
 from src.shared.auth import require_auth
@@ -187,3 +189,51 @@ async def add_message(
         total_tokens=conversation.total_tokens if conversation else 0,
         summarized=summarized,
     )
+
+
+@router.post("/{conversation_id}/save", response_model=SaveMessagesResponse)
+@logged()
+async def save_messages(
+    conversation_id: UUID,
+    request: SaveMessagesRequest,
+    session: AsyncSession = Depends(get_session),
+    user=Depends(require_auth),
+) -> SaveMessagesResponse:
+    """
+    Save a user/assistant message pair without triggering agent execution.
+
+    Used by CLI when streaming responses separately via /agents/stream.
+    This allows persisting the exchange after streaming completes.
+    """
+    service = ConversationService(session)
+
+    # Verify conversation exists and user owns it
+    conversation = await service.get(conversation_id)
+    if not conversation:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Conversation not found")
+
+    if conversation.user_id != user.id:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Not authorized")
+
+    # Save user message
+    user_message = await service.add_message(
+        conversation_id=conversation_id,
+        role="user",
+        content=request.user_content,
+    )
+
+    # Save assistant message
+    assistant_message = await service.add_message(
+        conversation_id=conversation_id,
+        role="assistant",
+        content=request.assistant_content,
+    )
+
+    # Get updated conversation for total tokens
+    conversation = await service.get(conversation_id)
+
+    return SaveMessagesResponse(
+        user_message=MessageResponse.model_validate(user_message),
+        assistant_message=MessageResponse.model_validate(assistant_message),
+        total_tokens=conversation.total_tokens if conversation else 0,
+    )

webber-api/src/domains/conversations/schemas.py

@@ -21,6 +21,15 @@ class AddMessageRequest(BaseModel):
     content: str = Field(..., min_length=1, description="Message content")
 
 
+class SaveMessagesRequest(BaseModel):
+    """Request to save a message pair without triggering agent execution.
+
+    Used by CLI when streaming responses separately via /agents/stream.
+    """
+    user_content: str = Field(..., min_length=1, description="User message content")
+    assistant_content: str = Field(..., min_length=1, description="Assistant response content")
+
+
 # === Response Schemas ===
 
 class MessageResponse(BaseModel):
@@ -77,3 +86,10 @@ class AddMessageResponse(BaseModel):
         default=False,
         description="Whether context was summarized due to token limit"
     )
+
+
+class SaveMessagesResponse(BaseModel):
+    """Response after saving messages (no agent execution)."""
+    user_message: MessageResponse
+    assistant_message: MessageResponse
+    total_tokens: int

webber-api/tests/test_conversations.py

@@ -297,3 +297,87 @@ class TestSummarization:
 
         assert "[Previous Summary]" in formatted
         assert "Previous context summary" in formatted
+
+
+class TestSaveMessagesAPI:
+    """Tests for the save messages endpoint (no agent execution)."""
+
+    @pytest.mark.anyio
+    async def test_save_messages(self, auth_client):
+        """Test saving a message pair without triggering agent."""
+        # First create a conversation
+        response = await auth_client.post(
+            "/conversations/",
+            json={"agent_type": "task", "working_dir": "."}
+        )
+        assert response.status_code == 201
+        conv_id = response.json()["id"]
+
+        # Save a message pair
+        response = await auth_client.post(
+            f"/conversations/{conv_id}/save",
+            json={
+                "user_content": "Find all Python files",
+                "assistant_content": "I found 5 Python files in the project.",
+            }
+        )
+        assert response.status_code == 200
+        data = response.json()
+
+        assert data["user_message"]["role"] == "user"
+        assert data["user_message"]["content"] == "Find all Python files"
+        assert data["assistant_message"]["role"] == "assistant"
+        assert data["assistant_message"]["content"] == "I found 5 Python files in the project."
+        assert data["total_tokens"] > 0
+
+    @pytest.mark.anyio
+    async def test_save_messages_not_found(self, auth_client):
+        """Test saving messages to non-existent conversation."""
+        fake_id = uuid4()
+        response = await auth_client.post(
+            f"/conversations/{fake_id}/save",
+            json={
+                "user_content": "Test",
+                "assistant_content": "Response",
+            }
+        )
+        assert response.status_code == 404
+
+    @pytest.mark.anyio
+    async def test_save_messages_updates_token_count(self, auth_client):
+        """Test that saving messages updates the conversation token count."""
+        # Create conversation
+        response = await auth_client.post(
+            "/conversations/",
+            json={"agent_type": "explore", "working_dir": "."}
+        )
+        conv_id = response.json()["id"]
+        assert response.json()["total_tokens"] == 0
+
+        # Save first message pair
+        response = await auth_client.post(
+            f"/conversations/{conv_id}/save",
+            json={
+                "user_content": "Hello",
+                "assistant_content": "Hi there!",
+            }
+        )
+        first_tokens = response.json()["total_tokens"]
+        assert first_tokens > 0
+
+        # Save second message pair
+        response = await auth_client.post(
+            f"/conversations/{conv_id}/save",
+            json={
+                "user_content": "How are you?",
+                "assistant_content": "I'm doing well, thank you for asking!",
+            }
+        )
+        second_tokens = response.json()["total_tokens"]
+        assert second_tokens > first_tokens
+
+        # Verify via get endpoint
+        response = await auth_client.get(f"/conversations/{conv_id}")
+        assert response.status_code == 200
+        assert response.json()["total_tokens"] == second_tokens
+        assert len(response.json()["messages"]) == 4

webber-cli/webber_cli/client.py

@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@ Supports permission modes for controlling agent tool access.
 import json
 import httpx
 from collections.abc import AsyncIterator
-from dataclasses import dataclass
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+from datetime import datetime
 from enum import Enum
 from typing import Any
 
@@ -42,6 +43,47 @@ class AgentInfo:
     description: str
 
 
+@dataclass
+class Message:
+    """A message in a conversation."""
+    id: str
+    role: str
+    content: str
+    token_count: int
+    is_summary: bool
+    created_at: datetime
+
+
+@dataclass
+class Conversation:
+    """A conversation session."""
+    id: str
+    agent_type: str
+    title: str | None
+    working_dir: str
+    total_tokens: int
+    created_at: datetime
+    updated_at: datetime | None
+    messages: list[Message] = field(default_factory=list)
+
+
+@dataclass
+class AddMessageResult:
+    """Result of adding a message to a conversation."""
+    user_message: Message
+    assistant_message: Message
+    total_tokens: int
+    summarized: bool
+
+
+@dataclass
+class SaveMessagesResult:
+    """Result of saving a message pair without agent execution."""
+    user_message: Message
+    assistant_message: Message
+    total_tokens: int
+
+
 class WebberClient:
     """
     Client for the Webber API.
@@ -203,6 +245,193 @@ class WebberClient:
                         except json.JSONDecodeError:
                             continue
 
+    # === Conversation API ===
+
+    def _parse_message(self, data: dict) -> Message:
+        """Parse a Message from API response data."""
+        return Message(
+            id=data["id"],
+            role=data["role"],
+            content=data["content"],
+            token_count=data["token_count"],
+            is_summary=data["is_summary"],
+            created_at=datetime.fromisoformat(data["created_at"].replace("Z", "+00:00")),
+        )
+
+    def _parse_conversation(self, data: dict, with_messages: bool = False) -> Conversation:
+        """Parse a Conversation from API response data."""
+        messages = []
+        if with_messages and "messages" in data:
+            messages = [self._parse_message(m) for m in data["messages"]]
+
+        updated_at = None
+        if data.get("updated_at"):
+            updated_at = datetime.fromisoformat(data["updated_at"].replace("Z", "+00:00"))
+
+        return Conversation(
+            id=data["id"],
+            agent_type=data["agent_type"],
+            title=data.get("title"),
+            working_dir=data["working_dir"],
+            total_tokens=data["total_tokens"],
+            created_at=datetime.fromisoformat(data["created_at"].replace("Z", "+00:00")),
+            updated_at=updated_at,
+            messages=messages,
+        )
+
+    async def list_conversations(
+        self,
+        limit: int = 50,
+        offset: int = 0,
+    ) -> tuple[list[Conversation], int]:
+        """
+        List user's conversations.
+
+        Args:
+            limit: Maximum number of conversations to return
+            offset: Offset for pagination
+
+        Returns:
+            Tuple of (conversations, total_count)
+        """
+        client = await self._get_client()
+        response = await client.get(
+            "/conversations/",
+            params={"limit": limit, "offset": offset},
+        )
+        response.raise_for_status()
+        data = response.json()
+        conversations = [self._parse_conversation(c) for c in data["conversations"]]
+        return conversations, data["total"]
+
+    async def get_conversation(self, conversation_id: str) -> Conversation | None:
+        """
+        Get a conversation with all messages.
+
+        Args:
+            conversation_id: UUID of the conversation
+
+        Returns:
+            Conversation with messages, or None if not found
+        """
+        client = await self._get_client()
+        response = await client.get(f"/conversations/{conversation_id}")
+        if response.status_code == 404:
+            return None
+        response.raise_for_status()
+        return self._parse_conversation(response.json(), with_messages=True)
+
+    async def create_conversation(
+        self,
+        agent_type: str = "task",
+        working_dir: str = ".",
+        title: str | None = None,
+    ) -> Conversation:
+        """
+        Create a new conversation.
+
+        Args:
+            agent_type: Type of agent to use
+            working_dir: Working directory for the agent
+            title: Optional title for the conversation
+
+        Returns:
+            The created conversation
+        """
+        client = await self._get_client()
+        response = await client.post(
+            "/conversations/",
+            json={
+                "agent_type": agent_type,
+                "working_dir": working_dir,
+                "title": title,
+            },
+        )
+        response.raise_for_status()
+        return self._parse_conversation(response.json())
+
+    async def add_message(
+        self,
+        conversation_id: str,
+        content: str,
+    ) -> AddMessageResult:
+        """
+        Add a message to a conversation and get agent response.
+
+        Args:
+            conversation_id: UUID of the conversation
+            content: Message content
+
+        Returns:
+            AddMessageResult with user and assistant messages
+        """
+        client = await self._get_client()
+        response = await client.post(
+            f"/conversations/{conversation_id}/messages",
+            json={"content": content},
+        )
+        response.raise_for_status()
+        data = response.json()
+        return AddMessageResult(
+            user_message=self._parse_message(data["user_message"]),
+            assistant_message=self._parse_message(data["assistant_message"]),
+            total_tokens=data["total_tokens"],
+            summarized=data.get("summarized", False),
+        )
+
+    async def save_messages(
+        self,
+        conversation_id: str,
+        user_content: str,
+        assistant_content: str,
+    ) -> SaveMessagesResult:
+        """
+        Save a user/assistant message pair without triggering agent execution.
+
+        Used when streaming responses separately via run_agent_stream().
+        Allows persisting the exchange after streaming completes.
+
+        Args:
+            conversation_id: UUID of the conversation
+            user_content: User message content
+            assistant_content: Assistant response content
+
+        Returns:
+            SaveMessagesResult with both messages
+        """
+        client = await self._get_client()
+        response = await client.post(
+            f"/conversations/{conversation_id}/save",
+            json={
+                "user_content": user_content,
+                "assistant_content": assistant_content,
+            },
+        )
+        response.raise_for_status()
+        data = response.json()
+        return SaveMessagesResult(
+            user_message=self._parse_message(data["user_message"]),
+            assistant_message=self._parse_message(data["assistant_message"]),
+            total_tokens=data["total_tokens"],
+        )
+
+    async def delete_conversation(self, conversation_id: str) -> bool:
+        """
+        Delete a conversation.
+
+        Args:
+            conversation_id: UUID of the conversation
+
+        Returns:
+            True if deleted, False if not found
+        """
+        client = await self._get_client()
+        response = await client.delete(f"/conversations/{conversation_id}")
+        if response.status_code == 404:
+            return False
+        response.raise_for_status()
+        return True
+
     async def __aenter__(self) -> "WebberClient":
         """Async context manager entry."""
         return self

webber-cli/webber_cli/main.py

@@ -107,6 +107,9 @@ console = get_console()
 # Development port is 8095, production is 8086
 DEFAULT_API_URL = os.environ.get("WEBBER_API_URL", "http://localhost:8095")
 
+# Default API key for conversation API (dev mode accepts any non-empty key)
+DEFAULT_API_KEY = os.environ.get("WEBBER_API_KEY", "webber-cli-dev-key")
+
 
 def version_callback(value: bool) -> None:
     """Display version and exit."""
@@ -148,6 +151,69 @@ def main(
     pass
 
 
+@app.command()
+def sessions(
+    api_url: str = typer.Option(
+        DEFAULT_API_URL,
+        "--api",
+        "-a",
+        help="Webber API URL",
+    ),
+    limit: int = typer.Option(
+        20,
+        "--limit",
+        "-n",
+        help="Maximum number of sessions to show",
+    ),
+) -> None:
+    """
+    List previous conversation sessions.
+
+    Shows recent sessions that can be resumed with 'chat --resume <id>'.
+    """
+    asyncio.run(_list_sessions(api_url, limit))
+
+
+async def _list_sessions(api_url: str, limit: int) -> None:
+    """List conversation sessions."""
+    async with WebberClient(api_url, api_key=DEFAULT_API_KEY) as client:
+        # Check API health
+        if not await client.health_check():
+            console.print(f"[error]Error:[/] Cannot connect to Webber API at {api_url}")
+            return
+
+        try:
+            conversations, total = await client.list_conversations(limit=limit)
+        except Exception as e:
+            console.print(f"[error]Error listing sessions:[/] {e}")
+            return
+
+        if not conversations:
+            console.print("[dim]No sessions found. Start one with 'webber-cli chat'[/]")
+            return
+
+        console.print(f"[title]Sessions[/] [dim]({len(conversations)} of {total})[/]\n")
+
+        for conv in conversations:
+            # Format the date
+            date_str = conv.created_at.strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M")
+
+            # Title or first message preview
+            title = conv.title or "[dim]untitled[/]"
+
+            # Truncate ID for display
+            short_id = conv.id[:8]
+
+            console.print(
+                f"  [info]{short_id}[/]  {date_str}  "
+                f"[path]{conv.working_dir}[/]  {title}  "
+                f"[dim]({conv.total_tokens} tokens)[/]"
+            )
+
+        console.print()
+        console.print("[dim]Resume with: webber-cli chat --resume <id>[/]")
+
+
 @app.command()
 def chat(
     directory: str = typer.Option(
@@ -168,6 +234,12 @@ def chat(
         "-m",
         help="Permission mode: default, plan (read-only), auto_accept (no prompts)",
     ),
+    resume: str = typer.Option(
+        None,
+        "--resume",
+        "-r",
+        help="Resume a previous session by ID (use 'sessions' to list)",
+    ),
     stream: bool = typer.Option(
         True,
         "--stream/--no-stream",
@@ -188,6 +260,8 @@ def chat(
     - default: Full capabilities with approval prompts for writes
     - plan: Read-only mode for safe exploration and planning
     - auto_accept: Full capabilities without approval prompts (use with caution)
+
+    Use --resume to continue a previous session.
     """
     working_dir = str(Path(directory).resolve())
 
@@ -210,7 +284,7 @@ def chat(
             permission_mode = PermissionMode.default
 
     try:
-        asyncio.run(_chat_loop(api_url, working_dir, permission_mode, stream))
+        asyncio.run(_chat_loop(api_url, working_dir, permission_mode, stream, resume))
     except KeyboardInterrupt:
         console.print("\n[dim]Goodbye![/]")
 
@@ -220,12 +294,15 @@ async def _chat_loop(
     working_dir: str,
     mode: PermissionMode,
     stream: bool = True,
+    resume_id: str | None = None,
 ) -> None:
     """Interactive chat loop with the Task agent."""
     theme = get_theme()
     agent_type = "task"
+    conversation_id: str | None = None
+    conversation_title: str | None = None
 
-    async with WebberClient(api_url) as client:
+    async with WebberClient(api_url, api_key=DEFAULT_API_KEY) as client:
         # Check API health
         if not await client.health_check():
             console.print(f"[error]Error:[/] Cannot connect to Webber API at {api_url}")
@@ -238,6 +315,60 @@ async def _chat_loop(
             console.print(f"[error]Error:[/] Task agent not found")
             return
 
+        # Handle resume or create new conversation
+        if resume_id:
+            # Try to find conversation by ID prefix
+            try:
+                conversations, _ = await client.list_conversations(limit=100)
+                matching = [c for c in conversations if c.id.startswith(resume_id)]
+                if not matching:
+                    console.print(f"[error]Error:[/] Session not found: {resume_id}")
+                    console.print("[dim]Use 'webber-cli sessions' to list available sessions[/]")
+                    return
+                if len(matching) > 1:
+                    console.print(f"[error]Error:[/] Ambiguous ID, multiple matches: {resume_id}")
+                    for m in matching:
+                        console.print(f"  - {m.id[:8]} ({m.title or 'untitled'})")
+                    return
+
+                # Load the conversation with messages
+                conv = await client.get_conversation(matching[0].id)
+                if not conv:
+                    console.print(f"[error]Error:[/] Could not load session")
+                    return
+
+                conversation_id = conv.id
+                conversation_title = conv.title
+                working_dir = conv.working_dir  # Use the session's working directory
+
+                # Display conversation history
+                console.print(f"\n[title]Resuming session[/] [dim]{conv.id[:8]}[/]")
+                if conv.messages:
+                    console.print(f"[dim]({len(conv.messages)} messages, {conv.total_tokens} tokens)[/]\n")
+                    for msg in conv.messages[-6:]:  # Show last 6 messages
+                        if msg.role == "user":
+                            console.print(f"[prompt]>[/] {msg.content[:100]}{'...' if len(msg.content) > 100 else ''}")
+                        else:
+                            preview = msg.content[:200].replace('\n', ' ')
+                            console.print(f"[dim]{preview}{'...' if len(msg.content) > 200 else ''}[/]\n")
+
+            except Exception as e:
+                console.print(f"[error]Error resuming session:[/] {e}")
+                return
+        else:
+            # Create a new conversation
+            try:
+                conv = await client.create_conversation(
+                    agent_type=agent_type,
+                    working_dir=working_dir,
+                    title=None,  # Will be set later based on first message
+                )
+                conversation_id = conv.id
+                console.print(f"[dim]Session: {conv.id[:8]}[/]")
+            except Exception as e:
+                # If conversation API fails, continue without persistence
+                console.print(f"[dim]Note: Session persistence unavailable ({e})[/]")
+
         # Mode display
         mode_display = {
             PermissionMode.default: "[info]default[/] (full with approvals)",
@@ -318,14 +449,30 @@ async def _chat_loop(
                 console.print()
 
                 if stream:
-                    # Stream response in real-time
+                    # Stream response in real-time, buffering for persistence
+                    response_chunks: list[str] = []
                     try:
                         async for chunk in client.run_agent_stream(
                             agent_type, user_input, working_dir, current_mode
                         ):
                             sys.stdout.write(chunk)
                             sys.stdout.flush()
+                            response_chunks.append(chunk)
                         console.print()  # Newline after streaming
+
+                        # Save messages to conversation if we have a session
+                        if conversation_id and response_chunks:
+                            try:
+                                full_response = "".join(response_chunks)
+                                await client.save_messages(
+                                    conversation_id,
+                                    user_input,
+                                    full_response,
+                                )
+                            except Exception as save_error:
+                                # Log but don't fail the interaction
+                                console.print(f"[dim]Note: Could not save to session ({save_error})[/]")
+
                     except Exception as e:
                         console.print(f"\n[error]Stream error:[/] {e}")
                 else:
@@ -337,6 +484,17 @@ async def _chat_loop(
 
                     if result.success:
                         console.print(Markdown(result.response))
+
+                        # Save messages to conversation if we have a session
+                        if conversation_id:
+                            try:
+                                await client.save_messages(
+                                    conversation_id,
+                                    user_input,
+                                    result.response,
+                                )
+                            except Exception as save_error:
+                                console.print(f"[dim]Note: Could not save to session ({save_error})[/]")
                     else:
                         console.print(f"[error]Error:[/] {result.error}")