Customize Folding Visibility Defaults: Feature Request

I'm writing to propose a feature enhancement that would significantly improve the user experience within the agent-shell environment. This feature revolves around the ability to customize the default folding visibility of different sections, specifically focusing on "Thought process" and "Tool use" sections. Currently, the default behavior might not align with every user's workflow, and providing customization options would greatly enhance individual productivity.

The Need for Customizable Folding

As users interact with agent-shell, they encounter various sections that contain different types of information. Some sections, like "Thought process," might be more beneficial when unfolded by default, allowing users to immediately grasp the agent's reasoning and decision-making process. On the other hand, sections like "Tool use" might be more effectively presented in a folded state initially, preventing information overload and allowing users to selectively expand them when needed.

The ability to tailor this default behavior to individual preferences and workflows is crucial. This customization would streamline the user experience, making it more efficient and intuitive.

Proposed Customization Options

To address this need, I propose the following three customization options:

1. Thought Process: Folded/Unfolded by Default

This option would allow users to specify whether the "Thought process" section should be displayed in a folded or unfolded state when the agent-shell is initially loaded. For many users, understanding the agent's thought process is paramount, making an unfolded default a desirable choice. By having the thought process readily visible, users can quickly assess the agent's reasoning and ensure it aligns with their expectations. This immediate visibility fosters trust and transparency in the agent's operations.

Consider scenarios where the agent is performing complex tasks. Having the thought process unfolded allows users to follow the agent's line of reasoning step-by-step. This is particularly valuable for debugging or understanding unexpected behavior. Furthermore, it provides a learning opportunity, allowing users to glean insights into how the agent approaches problem-solving.

2. Tool Use: Folded/Unfolded by Default

Similarly, this option would allow users to configure the default folding state for the "Tool use" section. Given that tool use sections can often contain extensive logs and details, a folded default might be preferable for many users. This approach helps to reduce visual clutter and allows users to focus on the higher-level aspects of the agent's behavior. However, the ability to unfold this section easily remains crucial for detailed analysis and troubleshooting.

The tool use section often contains a wealth of information, including the specific tools invoked, the parameters passed, and the results obtained. While this information is invaluable for in-depth analysis, it can be overwhelming if displayed by default. By providing a folded default, users can selectively delve into the tool usage details when necessary, maintaining a cleaner and more focused interface. This is particularly beneficial in scenarios where the agent interacts with numerous tools or performs a large number of operations.

3. Filter for Tool Use Fold State

This is perhaps the most nuanced and powerful customization option. It would enable users to define filters that determine the fold state of specific types of tool use calls. For instance, a user might find it generally unhelpful to see the results of tool calls by default, as they can often be verbose and distracting. However, they might always want to see the details of "edit" tool calls, as these directly impact the content being generated or modified.

This filtering mechanism would provide a fine-grained level of control over the information displayed. Users could define rules based on the tool name, the parameters used, or even the content of the results. This flexibility is essential for tailoring the agent-shell's interface to individual workflows and preferences.

For example, imagine a scenario where an agent is used for content creation. The tool use section might contain calls to various tools, such as a search engine, a text editor, and a grammar checker. A user might choose to fold the results of the search engine calls by default, as these are often voluminous and less critical for immediate understanding. However, they would likely want to unfold the details of the text editor calls, as these directly reflect the changes being made to the content. Similarly, the grammar checker calls might be unfolded to ensure the quality of the output.

Use Case Scenario

Consider a researcher using agent-shell to automate literature reviews. The agent might use tools to search databases, extract information from papers, and summarize findings. In this scenario, the researcher might prefer the "Thought process" to be unfolded to understand the agent's search strategy and the criteria used for selecting papers. The "Tool use" section, particularly the results of database queries, might be folded by default to avoid overwhelming the researcher with technical details. However, the researcher would likely want to see the details of tools used to extract and summarize information, ensuring the accuracy and relevance of the extracted content.

Benefits of Implementing this Feature

Implementing these customization options would yield several significant benefits:

• Improved User Experience: By tailoring the default folding behavior, users can create a more streamlined and efficient workflow.
• Reduced Information Overload: Folding less critical sections by default helps users focus on the most relevant information.
• Increased Productivity: A customized interface leads to faster comprehension and decision-making.
• Enhanced Flexibility: Users can adapt the agent-shell to their specific needs and preferences.

Checklist

• [x] I've read the README's Issues section.
• [x] For requesting new agent support, I'm including a link to the ACP-capable agent or related ACP package.
• [x] For issues, I'm including ACP traffic (as per README).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ability to customize the default folding visibility of sections within agent-shell, particularly for "Thought process" and "Tool use," would be a valuable enhancement. The proposed customization options would empower users to tailor the interface to their individual needs, leading to a more efficient, productive, and enjoyable experience. This feature would not only improve usability but also foster a deeper understanding of the agent's behavior, building trust and confidence in its capabilities.

By allowing users to configure the default state of these sections, we can create a more personalized and effective environment for interacting with AI agents. This level of customization is crucial for accommodating the diverse workflows and preferences of our user base. Furthermore, the ability to filter tool use fold states provides an even finer level of control, enabling users to focus on the information that is most relevant to their tasks. The implementation of these features would represent a significant step forward in the usability and flexibility of agent-shell.

Consider the impact on debugging, for instance. With customizable folding, users can quickly identify and examine the specific tool calls that led to an error, without having to sift through irrelevant information. This targeted approach to debugging saves time and reduces frustration. Similarly, in scenarios where the agent is performing complex tasks, the ability to unfold the thought process allows users to follow the agent's line of reasoning step-by-step, ensuring that it aligns with their expectations. This transparency is essential for building trust in the agent's capabilities.

The proposed feature also aligns with the broader trend towards user-centric design in software development. By empowering users to customize their environment, we are acknowledging their individual needs and preferences. This approach not only improves usability but also fosters a sense of ownership and engagement. Users are more likely to embrace and effectively utilize tools that are tailored to their specific workflows.

Finally, I believe that the implementation of these features would be a relatively straightforward process. The existing folding mechanism within agent-shell provides a solid foundation for building upon. The addition of configuration options and filtering rules would not require a major overhaul of the underlying architecture. This makes the proposal both feasible and impactful.

For further reading on user interface design principles and best practices, I recommend exploring resources from the Interaction Design Foundation. They offer a wealth of information on creating user-friendly and effective interfaces.