[Windows][Computer Use] Compact one-line activity overlay during desktop control

What variant of Codex are you using?

Codex App in ChatGPT Desktop Beta 26.727.4816.0 on Windows 11 (build 26200)

What feature would you like to see?

I like the current inner glow shown while ChatGPT is using the computer. When the pointer is moving or windows are visibly changing, the glow works well because it is obvious that the agent is making progress.

The unclear part is when nothing changes on the screen for a while. Without access to Remote from another device, the user cannot easily distinguish between:

• the agent actively preparing its next action;
• waiting for an application to load;
• waiting for user input;
• being blocked or stalled.

At the moment, interrupting or stopping the turn can feel like the only way to check what is happening. Interruption should not be required merely to observe the agent's state.

Please consider adding an optional, compact, semi-transparent status overlay during Computer Use. It could be attached visually to the existing inner glow and display only one truncated line, for example:

• Working · Checking whether the window finished loading…
• Working · Preparing the next action…
• Waiting · No visible UI change for 18 seconds
• Needs input · Open ChatGPT to continue
• Blocked · Unable to control the current window

A minimal implementation could:

• fade in only after a few seconds without visible pointer or window activity;
• fade back to the existing glow when visible interaction resumes;
• display one line and truncate longer messages with an ellipsis;
• include a subtle animated heartbeat or elapsed time so the user knows the task is still alive;
• remain click-through and avoid taking focus from the application being controlled;
• be movable, dismissible, or configurable;
• show only high-level, user-facing activity summaries—not private chain-of-thought, raw reasoning, sensitive screen contents, file paths, or secrets.

The goal is not to add a large progress window. Even a very small one-line indicator would provide enough observability to tell whether the agent is working, waiting, blocked, or asking for input.

Additional information

Environment:

• ChatGPT Desktop Beta / Codex package: 26.727.4816.0
• Windows 11, build 26200
• Computer Use on Windows

Related but not identical requests:

• #35848 requests a persistent status panel inside each Desktop thread.
• #20863 requests richer activity states for desktop pets.

This request is specifically for a lightweight, always-visible activity line on the Windows desktop while Computer Use is controlling the foreground. It is not a request to expose private chain-of-thought.

No files, tests, or entry points are named. Start by reviewing the Computer Use desktop integration and comparing related requests #35848 and #20863; the work is done when Windows shows a compact, click-through activity line that distinguishes working, waiting, blocked, and input-needed states without exposing private reasoning.