feat: auto-infer workspace names from conversation context

[jschwxrz]

summary:

• task name is now optional
• auto populates when issue is linked or when initial prompt exists
• if task is created without issue or initial prompt and user does not add task-name, falls back to random name on submit
• fallback random name is updated with first task name generated based on "real" message user sends in the chat

how it works:

• uses keyword extraction to generate a conventional task name
• pre-task-creation: generate and use as task and worktree name
• post-task-creation: buffer accumulates user keystrokes. when message is sent to agent and the agents PTY output shows "busy", a task name is generated based on the user message and task is renamed
• manual task rename still possible through right clicking the task in the left sidebar

UI changes:

• task name shows optional
• create button enabled even when task name empty

#1033

[vercel]

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[greptile-apps]

Greptile Summary

This PR makes task names optional by auto-generating them from linked issue context or initial prompts during creation, and from terminal input after the agent starts processing. It adds a TerminalInputBuffer that captures the user's first real message and triggers a rename when the agent signals "busy".

• Adds nbranch dependency (with compromise NLP library) for keyword-based slug generation from natural language input
• Task name field is now optional in the creation modal — if left empty, a random friendly name is generated at submit time
• Auto-generated names can be overridden by the first "real" terminal message, detected via the existing activityClassifier busy signal
• nameGenerated metadata flag tracks whether a name is eligible for auto-rename, cleared on manual rename
• Debounced name regeneration in TaskModal when prompt text changes (400ms), immediate for issue link/unlink
• New TerminalInputBuffer class handles ANSI escape stripping, backspace, and multi-line paste accumulation
• Three new test files with good coverage of name generation, context-based naming, and input buffer behavior

Confidence Score: 4/5

• This PR is safe to merge — it adds a well-tested optional feature with proper fallbacks and no breaking changes to the existing task creation flow.
• The feature is well-architected with a clean separation of concerns (name generation, input capture, confirmation via activity signal). The one-shot pattern prevents repeated renames, and the nameGenerated flag correctly gates auto-rename eligibility. Three new test files provide solid coverage. The main concerns are the bundle size impact of the nbranch/compromise dependency and minor ANSI parsing edge cases, neither of which are blocking.
• Pay attention to src/renderer/components/TaskModal.tsx (debounce logic) and package.json (new dependency bundle size impact).

Important Files Changed

Filename	Overview
src/renderer/lib/branchNameGenerator.ts	New file: Core keyword extraction and task name generation using nbranch library. Clean API with context-priority logic (issue > prompt). Well structured.
src/renderer/terminal/TerminalInputBuffer.ts	New file: One-shot terminal input capture buffer with ANSI escape stripping, backspace handling, and multi-line paste support. Confirmed via confirmSubmit pattern.
src/renderer/terminal/TerminalSessionManager.ts	Integrates TerminalInputBuffer for input capture and activity classifier for confirming message submission. Proper disposal and null cleanup.
src/renderer/components/TaskModal.tsx	Significant changes: task name is now optional, auto-generates from context with debounce. Fallback random name on submit. Debounce logic has a subtle condition that may cause unnecessary immediate calls when prompt is empty.
src/renderer/components/ChatInterface.tsx	Adds handleFirstMessage callback pattern using ref for stable reference, wired to TerminalPane's onFirstMessage prop. Correctly guards against multiAgent and non-generated names.
src/renderer/lib/taskCreationService.ts	Adds nameGenerated to CreateTaskParams and includes it in task metadata. Condition for metadata creation expanded correctly.
src/renderer/types/chat.ts	Adds nameGenerated optional field to TaskMetadata interface. Well documented with JSDoc.
package.json	Adds nbranch ^0.1.0 dependency. Brings in compromise NLP library (non-trivial bundle size impact).

Sequence Diagram

sequenceDiagram
    participant User
    participant TaskModal
    participant branchNameGenerator
    participant TaskCreationService
    participant TerminalPane
    participant TerminalInputBuffer
    participant TerminalSessionManager
    participant activityClassifier
    participant useTaskManagement

    User->>TaskModal: Types prompt / links issue
    TaskModal->>branchNameGenerator: generateTaskNameFromContext()
    branchNameGenerator-->>TaskModal: slug name (or null)
    TaskModal->>TaskModal: ensureUniqueTaskName()
    User->>TaskModal: Clicks Create (name optional)
    TaskModal->>TaskCreationService: createTask({nameGenerated: true})
    TaskCreationService-->>TaskModal: Task created with metadata

    Note over User, TerminalPane: Post-creation: terminal auto-rename flow

    User->>TerminalPane: Types first message
    TerminalPane->>TerminalInputBuffer: feed(keystroke data)
    TerminalInputBuffer->>TerminalInputBuffer: Strip ANSI, accumulate buffer
    User->>TerminalPane: Presses Enter
    TerminalInputBuffer->>TerminalInputBuffer: Snapshot pendingMessage

    Note over TerminalSessionManager: Agent PTY output arrives
    TerminalSessionManager->>activityClassifier: classifyActivity(chunk)
    activityClassifier-->>TerminalSessionManager: "busy"
    TerminalSessionManager->>TerminalInputBuffer: confirmSubmit()
    TerminalInputBuffer->>ChatInterface: onCapture(message)
    ChatInterface->>branchNameGenerator: generateTaskName(message)
    branchNameGenerator-->>ChatInterface: new slug name
    ChatInterface->>useTaskManagement: handleRenameTask(project, task, newName)
    useTaskManagement->>useTaskManagement: Rename branch + save task (nameGenerated=false)

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_{Last reviewed commit: 1df44a6}

[greptile-apps]

_{17 files reviewed, 3 comments}

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[greptile-apps]

New dependency adds ~300KB+ to renderer bundle

nbranch@0.1.0 pulls in compromise (a full NLP library), stopword, and several sub-dependencies (efrt, grad-school, suffix-thumb). This is a non-trivial addition to the renderer bundle for keyword extraction. Have you considered whether a lighter approach (e.g. simple regex-based stop-word removal + slugification) would suffice for generating task names? The current use only extracts 3 keywords from short text.

_{Note: If this suggestion doesn't match your team's coding style, reply to this and let me know. I'll remember it for next time!}