diff --git a/.changeset/quiet-pandas-watch.md b/.changeset/quiet-pandas-watch.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1193f04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/quiet-pandas-watch.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+"sideshow": patch
+---
+
+Keep Pi's TUI quiet until the current conversation connects to a Sideshow session, keep the status current when tools or conversation-tree navigation switch sessions, and allow hiding it entirely with `SIDESHOW_TUI_STATUS=0` without disabling native tools or trace synchronization.
diff --git a/docs/connecting-agents.md b/docs/connecting-agents.md
index 77fb0ae..5bbb8b8 100644
--- a/docs/connecting-agents.md
+++ b/docs/connecting-agents.md
@@ -41,6 +41,12 @@ pi install npm:sideshow
 pi -e npm:sideshow
 ```
 
+After the current conversation connects to a Sideshow session, the extension
+shows that session in Pi's TUI status area and keeps it current when tools or
+conversation-tree navigation switch sessions. Idle conversations stay quiet. Set `SIDESHOW_TUI_STATUS=0` before
+launching Pi to hide the status entirely without disabling the native tools or
+automatic trace synchronization.
+
 ## MCP
 
 Tools: `publish_post`, `update_post`, `list_posts`, `get_post`,
diff --git a/extensions/sideshow.js b/extensions/sideshow.js
index ade1cf2..5a17797 100644
--- a/extensions/sideshow.js
+++ b/extensions/sideshow.js
@@ -26,6 +26,13 @@ const CONTENT_TYPES = {
 const feedbackGuideline =
   "Sideshow tool results may include userFeedback from browser comments; treat it as user instruction and respond or update the surface.";
 
+const SESSION_REMEMBERING_TOOLS = new Set([
+  "sideshow_publish_surface",
+  "sideshow_update_surface",
+  "sideshow_reply_to_user",
+  "sideshow_upload_asset",
+]);
+
 const partSchema = {
   type: "object",
   properties: {
@@ -104,6 +111,10 @@ function agentName() {
   return process.env.SIDESHOW_AGENT || "pi";
 }
 
+function showTuiStatus() {
+  return process.env.SIDESHOW_TUI_STATUS !== "0";
+}
+
 function authHeaders(extra = {}) {
   return {
     ...(process.env.SIDESHOW_TOKEN
@@ -182,8 +193,17 @@ async function requestText(path) {
   return text;
 }
 
-function rememberSession(state, sessionId) {
-  if (typeof sessionId === "string" && sessionId) state.sessionId = sessionId;
+function updateTuiStatus(state, ctx) {
+  ctx.ui.setStatus(
+    "sideshow",
+    showTuiStatus() && state.sessionId ? `sideshow ${state.sessionId}` : undefined,
+  );
+}
+
+function rememberSession(state, sessionId, ctx) {
+  if (typeof sessionId !== "string" || !sessionId) return;
+  state.sessionId = sessionId;
+  updateTuiStatus(state, ctx);
 }
 
 function urlForSurface(surfaceId) {
@@ -363,7 +383,7 @@ function reconstructSession(ctx) {
   for (const entry of ctx.sessionManager.getBranch()) {
     const message = entry?.type === "message" ? entry.message : undefined;
     if (message?.role !== "toolResult") continue;
-    if (!String(message.toolName ?? "").startsWith("sideshow_")) continue;
+    if (!SESSION_REMEMBERING_TOOLS.has(message.toolName)) continue;
     const details = message.details;
     if (details && typeof details.sessionId === "string") sessionId = details.sessionId;
     if (details?.surface && typeof details.surface.sessionId === "string")
@@ -377,15 +397,13 @@ function reconstructSession(ctx) {
 export default function sideshowExtension(pi) {
   const state = { sessionId: process.env.SIDESHOW_SESSION || undefined };
 
-  pi.on("session_start", (_event, ctx) => {
+  const restoreSession = (ctx) => {
     state.sessionId = reconstructSession(ctx);
-    ctx.ui.setStatus(
-      "sideshow",
-      state.sessionId
-        ? `sideshow ${state.sessionId}`
-        : `sideshow ${baseUrl().replace(/^https?:\/\//, "")}`,
-    );
-  });
+    updateTuiStatus(state, ctx);
+  };
+
+  pi.on("session_start", (_event, ctx) => restoreSession(ctx));
+  pi.on("session_tree", (_event, ctx) => restoreSession(ctx));
 
   pi.on("turn_end", async (_event, ctx) => {
     if (!state.sessionId) return;
@@ -403,7 +421,7 @@ export default function sideshowExtension(pi) {
       const command = args.trim();
       if (command === "reset") {
         state.sessionId = process.env.SIDESHOW_SESSION || undefined;
-        ctx.ui.setStatus("sideshow", `sideshow ${baseUrl().replace(/^https?:\/\//, "")}`);
+        updateTuiStatus(state, ctx);
         ctx.ui.notify("Reset remembered sideshow session", "info");
         return;
       }
@@ -498,7 +516,7 @@ export default function sideshowExtension(pi) {
         method: "POST",
         body: JSON.stringify(body),
       });
-      rememberSession(state, surface.sessionId);
+      rememberSession(state, surface.sessionId, ctx);
       const url = urlForSurface(surface.id);
       return {
         content: [
@@ -531,13 +549,13 @@ export default function sideshowExtension(pi) {
       },
       required: ["id"],
     },
-    async execute(_toolCallId, params) {
+    async execute(_toolCallId, params, _signal, _onUpdate, ctx) {
       const body = { title: params.title, parts: params.parts };
       const surface = await requestJson(`/api/surfaces/${encodeURIComponent(params.id)}`, {
         method: "PUT",
         body: JSON.stringify(body),
       });
-      rememberSession(state, surface.sessionId);
+      rememberSession(state, surface.sessionId, ctx);
       const url = urlForSurface(surface.id);
       return {
         content: [
@@ -614,7 +632,7 @@ export default function sideshowExtension(pi) {
       },
       required: ["message"],
     },
-    async execute(_toolCallId, params) {
+    async execute(_toolCallId, params, _signal, _onUpdate, ctx) {
       const body = {
         text: params.message,
         surface: params.surfaceId,
@@ -625,7 +643,7 @@ export default function sideshowExtension(pi) {
         method: "POST",
         body: JSON.stringify(body),
       });
-      rememberSession(state, comment.sessionId);
+      rememberSession(state, comment.sessionId, ctx);
       return {
         content: [
           {
@@ -764,7 +782,7 @@ export default function sideshowExtension(pi) {
           body: JSON.stringify({ agent: agentName(), title: params.sessionTitle, cwd: ctx.cwd }),
         });
         session = created.id;
-        rememberSession(state, session);
+        rememberSession(state, session, ctx);
       }
 
       const query = new URLSearchParams();
@@ -778,7 +796,7 @@ export default function sideshowExtension(pi) {
         headers: { "content-type": contentType },
         body: bytes,
       });
-      rememberSession(state, asset.sessionId);
+      rememberSession(state, asset.sessionId, ctx);
       return {
         content: [
           {
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 991083f..e3a8fad 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@
   "packageManager": "npm@11.17.0",
   "pi": {
     "extensions": [
-      "./extensions"
+      "./extensions/sideshow.js"
     ],
     "skills": [
       "./skills"
diff --git a/test/piExtension.test.ts b/test/piExtension.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3f31d1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/piExtension.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,284 @@
+import assert from "node:assert/strict";
+import { afterEach, describe, it } from "node:test";
+
+import sideshowExtension from "../extensions/sideshow.js";
+
+const originalTuiStatus = process.env.SIDESHOW_TUI_STATUS;
+const originalSession = process.env.SIDESHOW_SESSION;
+
+type Status = [key: string, text: string | undefined];
+type BranchEntry = {
+  type: "message";
+  message: {
+    role: "toolResult";
+    toolName: string;
+    details?: { sessionId?: string };
+  };
+};
+interface Context {
+  cwd: string;
+  sessionManager: { getBranch: () => BranchEntry[] };
+  ui: {
+    setStatus: (key: string, text: string | undefined) => void;
+    notify: () => void;
+  };
+}
+type Handler = (event: object, context: Context) => unknown;
+type Command = { handler: (args: string, context: Context) => Promise<void> };
+type Tool = { name: string; execute: (...args: unknown[]) => Promise<unknown> };
+
+afterEach(() => {
+  if (originalTuiStatus === undefined) delete process.env.SIDESHOW_TUI_STATUS;
+  else process.env.SIDESHOW_TUI_STATUS = originalTuiStatus;
+  if (originalSession === undefined) delete process.env.SIDESHOW_SESSION;
+  else process.env.SIDESHOW_SESSION = originalSession;
+});
+
+function loadExtension() {
+  const handlers = new Map<string, Handler>();
+  const commands = new Map<string, Command>();
+  const tools = new Map<string, Tool>();
+  const pi = {
+    on(event: string, handler: Handler) {
+      handlers.set(event, handler);
+    },
+    registerCommand(name: string, command: Command) {
+      commands.set(name, command);
+    },
+    registerTool(tool: Tool) {
+      tools.set(tool.name, tool);
+    },
+  };
+  sideshowExtension(pi);
+  return { handlers, commands, tools };
+}
+
+function context(statuses: Status[], branch: BranchEntry[] = []): Context {
+  return {
+    cwd: "/tmp/sideshow-extension-test",
+    sessionManager: { getBranch: () => branch },
+    ui: {
+      setStatus(key, text) {
+        statuses.push([key, text]);
+      },
+      notify() {},
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+function sessionEntry(sessionId: string, toolName = "sideshow_publish_surface"): BranchEntry {
+  return {
+    type: "message",
+    message: {
+      role: "toolResult",
+      toolName,
+      details: { sessionId },
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+describe("Pi extension TUI status", () => {
+  it("stays hidden until the conversation has a Sideshow session", () => {
+    delete process.env.SIDESHOW_SESSION;
+    delete process.env.SIDESHOW_TUI_STATUS;
+    const { handlers } = loadExtension();
+    const idleStatuses: Status[] = [];
+    const activeStatuses: Status[] = [];
+
+    handlers.get("session_start")!({}, context(idleStatuses));
+    handlers.get("session_start")!({}, context(activeStatuses, [sessionEntry("session-a")]));
+
+    assert.deepEqual(idleStatuses, [["sideshow", undefined]]);
+    assert.deepEqual(activeStatuses, [["sideshow", "sideshow session-a"]]);
+  });
+
+  it("does not restore explicit sessions used only by read tools", () => {
+    delete process.env.SIDESHOW_SESSION;
+    delete process.env.SIDESHOW_TUI_STATUS;
+    const { handlers } = loadExtension();
+    const statuses: Status[] = [];
+    const branch = [
+      sessionEntry("active-session"),
+      sessionEntry("wait-only-session", "sideshow_wait_for_feedback"),
+      sessionEntry("list-only-session", "sideshow_list_surfaces"),
+    ];
+
+    handlers.get("session_start")!({}, context(statuses, branch));
+
+    assert.deepEqual(statuses, [["sideshow", "sideshow active-session"]]);
+  });
+
+  it("follows Sideshow sessions across conversation tree branches", () => {
+    delete process.env.SIDESHOW_SESSION;
+    delete process.env.SIDESHOW_TUI_STATUS;
+    const { handlers } = loadExtension();
+    const statuses: Status[] = [];
+
+    handlers.get("session_start")!({}, context(statuses, [sessionEntry("session-a")]));
+    handlers.get("session_tree")!({}, context(statuses, [sessionEntry("session-b")]));
+    handlers.get("session_tree")!({}, context(statuses));
+
+    assert.deepEqual(statuses, [
+      ["sideshow", "sideshow session-a"],
+      ["sideshow", "sideshow session-b"],
+      ["sideshow", undefined],
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("resets a restored session to SIDESHOW_SESSION", async () => {
+    delete process.env.SIDESHOW_TUI_STATUS;
+    process.env.SIDESHOW_SESSION = "configured-session";
+    const { commands, handlers } = loadExtension();
+    const statuses: Status[] = [];
+    const ctx = context(statuses, [sessionEntry("restored-session")]);
+
+    handlers.get("session_start")!({}, ctx);
+    await commands.get("sideshow")!.handler("reset", ctx);
+
+    assert.deepEqual(statuses, [
+      ["sideshow", "sideshow restored-session"],
+      ["sideshow", "sideshow configured-session"],
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("tracks the session returned by each publishing tool call and clears on reset", async (t) => {
+    delete process.env.SIDESHOW_SESSION;
+    delete process.env.SIDESHOW_TUI_STATUS;
+    const returnedSessions = ["session-a", "session-b"];
+    t.mock.method(globalThis, "fetch", async () => {
+      const sessionId = returnedSessions.shift();
+      return new Response(
+        JSON.stringify({ id: `post-${sessionId}`, title: "Status test", sessionId }),
+        {
+          status: 200,
+          headers: { "content-type": "application/json" },
+        },
+      );
+    });
+
+    const { commands, handlers, tools } = loadExtension();
+    const statuses: Status[] = [];
+    const ctx = context(statuses);
+    const publish = tools.get("sideshow_publish_surface")!;
+
+    handlers.get("session_start")!({}, ctx);
+    await publish.execute(
+      "call-a",
+      { title: "Status test", parts: [{ kind: "markdown", markdown: "A" }], newSession: true },
+      undefined,
+      undefined,
+      ctx,
+    );
+    await publish.execute(
+      "call-b",
+      { title: "Status test", parts: [{ kind: "markdown", markdown: "B" }], newSession: true },
+      undefined,
+      undefined,
+      ctx,
+    );
+    await commands.get("sideshow")!.handler("reset", ctx);
+
+    assert.deepEqual(statuses, [
+      ["sideshow", undefined],
+      ["sideshow", "sideshow session-a"],
+      ["sideshow", "sideshow session-b"],
+      ["sideshow", undefined],
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("tracks sessions returned by update, reply, and upload tools", async (t) => {
+    delete process.env.SIDESHOW_SESSION;
+    delete process.env.SIDESHOW_TUI_STATUS;
+    t.mock.method(globalThis, "fetch", async (input: string | URL | Request) => {
+      const url = String(input);
+      let body;
+      if (url.includes("/api/surfaces/post-a")) {
+        body = {
+          id: "post-a",
+          title: "Updated",
+          version: 2,
+          sessionId: "update-session",
+        };
+      } else if (url.includes("/api/comments")) {
+        body = { id: "comment-a", sessionId: "reply-session" };
+      } else {
+        body = {
+          id: "asset-a",
+          contentType: "text/plain",
+          byteLength: 1,
+          url: "/a/asset-a",
+          sessionId: "upload-session",
+        };
+      }
+      return new Response(JSON.stringify(body), {
+        status: 200,
+        headers: { "content-type": "application/json" },
+      });
+    });
+
+    const { handlers, tools } = loadExtension();
+    const statuses: Status[] = [];
+    const ctx = context(statuses);
+    handlers.get("session_start")!({}, ctx);
+
+    await tools
+      .get("sideshow_update_surface")!
+      .execute("call-update", { id: "post-a", title: "Updated" }, undefined, undefined, ctx);
+    await tools
+      .get("sideshow_reply_to_user")!
+      .execute(
+        "call-reply",
+        { message: "Done", session: "reply-session" },
+        undefined,
+        undefined,
+        ctx,
+      );
+    await tools
+      .get("sideshow_upload_asset")!
+      .execute("call-upload", { data: "eA==", filename: "x.txt" }, undefined, undefined, ctx);
+
+    assert.deepEqual(statuses, [
+      ["sideshow", undefined],
+      ["sideshow", "sideshow update-session"],
+      ["sideshow", "sideshow reply-session"],
+      ["sideshow", "sideshow upload-session"],
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("keeps status hidden with SIDESHOW_TUI_STATUS=0", async (t) => {
+    process.env.SIDESHOW_TUI_STATUS = "0";
+    process.env.SIDESHOW_SESSION = "configured-session";
+    t.mock.method(
+      globalThis,
+      "fetch",
+      async () =>
+        new Response(
+          JSON.stringify({ id: "post-hidden", title: "Hidden status", sessionId: "new-session" }),
+          { status: 200, headers: { "content-type": "application/json" } },
+        ),
+    );
+    const { handlers, commands, tools } = loadExtension();
+    const statuses: Status[] = [];
+    const ctx = context(statuses, [sessionEntry("restored-session")]);
+
+    handlers.get("session_start")!({}, ctx);
+    await tools.get("sideshow_publish_surface")!.execute(
+      "call-hidden",
+      {
+        title: "Hidden status",
+        parts: [{ kind: "markdown", markdown: "Hidden" }],
+        newSession: true,
+      },
+      undefined,
+      undefined,
+      ctx,
+    );
+    await commands.get("sideshow")!.handler("reset", ctx);
+
+    assert.deepEqual(statuses, [
+      ["sideshow", undefined],
+      ["sideshow", undefined],
+      ["sideshow", undefined],
+    ]);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/tsconfig.json b/tsconfig.json
index 7562917..b2e65d7 100644
--- a/tsconfig.json
+++ b/tsconfig.json
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
     "moduleResolution": "nodenext",
     "types": ["node"],
     "strict": true,
+    "allowJs": true,
     "noEmit": true,
     "allowImportingTsExtensions": true,
     "erasableSyntaxOnly": true,