stablyai / stablyai/orca

[Feature]: Render LaTeX math in agent TUI output

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#9,845 0 comments 1 reaction 1 assignee View on GitHub

@brennanb2025 is already working on this.

Since Jul 22, 2026.

enhancement
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TypeScript
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Description

Problem or use case

This request is about the TUI output shown inside Orca agent terminal tabs, not the Markdown file preview.

When an agent such as Codex emits mathematical explanations in its TUI, LaTeX math is displayed as raw source text. For example:

Inline math: $E = mc^2$

$$
\int_0^1 x^2 , dx = \frac{1}{3}
$$

The headings and lists remain readable as terminal text, but the formulas require mentally parsing LaTeX source or copying the response into a separate renderer. This makes agent output unnecessarily hard to read for technical and scientific work.

Proposed solution

Add an optional rich-math rendering mode for agent TUI output in Orca.

The mode should render common LaTeX math delimiters:

  • Inline math: $...$
  • Display math: $$...$$

It should preserve the existing terminal workflow:

  • Keep the raw terminal view available and byte-faithful.
  • Make rendered math opt-in, or provide a clear Rendered / Raw toggle.
  • Preserve selection, copy, scrolling, resize behavior, and agent interactivity.
  • Scope the feature to displayed agent output rather than shell input, command echoes, or arbitrary terminal programs.

The goal is not to replace the terminal with the Markdown file preview. It is to make mathematical content produced by agent TUIs readable in-place while retaining the normal terminal as the authoritative raw view.

Alternatives or additional context

Current workaround: copy the agent response into a Markdown/LaTeX-capable renderer.

Related: #1447 proposes a broader chat-style view for agent runs with Markdown rendering. This request is narrower: formula rendering should be available while working in the agent TUI/terminal surface, without requiring users to leave that surface.

A screenshot is available showing $...$, $$...$$, and LaTeX commands displayed literally in an Orca agent terminal.

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