feat: in-app live log (SSE activity feed)

Turn the inert "Show Work" thinking panel into a real live activity log:
- lyra/logbus.py: thread-safe in-memory ring buffer other modules publish to
- chat.respond logs backend/model/embed per turn, recall counts, reply size;
  web layer logs chat errors
- server: replace the keep-alive /stream/thinking stub with /stream/logs, an
  SSE endpoint that replays the recent buffer then streams new events
- UI: repurpose the panel as a global "Live Log" — connects on load, renders
  level/time/msg/fields, drops the old per-session localStorage + dead popup

Every turn now shows its backend + model in-app, so local-vs-cloud (free vs
paid) is visible at a glance.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

lyra/chat.py

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ session, then asks the model for a reply and persists both sides.
 """
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from lyra import llm, memory, persona
+from lyra import config, llm, logbus, memory, persona
 from lyra.llm import Backend, Message
 
 RECALL_K = 5
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ def build_messages(session_id: str, user_msg: str) -> list[Message]:
     recalled = [
         ex for ex in memory.recall(user_msg, k=RECALL_K) if ex.id not in recent_ids
     ]
+    logbus.log("debug", "context built", recent=len(recent), recalled=len(recalled))
     if recalled:
         messages.append(_memory_note(recalled))
 
@@ -46,8 +47,16 @@ def build_messages(session_id: str, user_msg: str) -> list[Message]:
 
 def respond(session_id: str, user_msg: str, backend: Backend = "cloud") -> str:
     """Produce Lyra's reply to a single user message and persist the exchange."""
+    cfg = config.load()
+    model = cfg.local_model if backend == "local" else cfg.cloud_model
+    logbus.log(
+        "info", "chat request", session=session_id, backend=backend,
+        model=model, embed=cfg.embed_backend,
+    )
+
     messages = build_messages(session_id, user_msg)
     reply = llm.complete(messages, backend=backend)
+    logbus.log("info", "reply", session=session_id, chars=len(reply))
 
     memory.remember(session_id, "user", user_msg)
     memory.remember(session_id, "assistant", reply)

lyra/logbus.py

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+"""In-memory live log bus.
+
+A thread-safe ring buffer that any part of Lyra can publish to and the web
+server streams to the browser over SSE. Deliberately process-local and
+ephemeral — it's an activity feed, not durable logging.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import threading
+import time
+from collections import deque
+
+_LOCK = threading.Lock()
+_EVENTS: deque[dict] = deque(maxlen=500)
+_SEQ = 0
+
+
+def log(level: str, msg: str, **fields) -> None:
+    """Publish an event. `level` is info/debug/error/system; fields are extras."""
+    global _SEQ
+    with _LOCK:
+        _SEQ += 1
+        _EVENTS.append(
+            {"seq": _SEQ, "ts": time.time(), "level": level, "msg": msg, "fields": fields}
+        )
+
+
+def since(seq: int) -> list[dict]:
+    """All buffered events with seq greater than `seq` (for SSE catch-up/polling)."""
+    with _LOCK:
+        return [e for e in _EVENTS if e["seq"] > seq]

lyra/web/server.py

@@ -10,15 +10,21 @@ re-stored).
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import asyncio
+import json
+import time
 from pathlib import Path
 
 from fastapi import FastAPI, Request
 from fastapi.responses import StreamingResponse
 from fastapi.staticfiles import StaticFiles
 
-from lyra import chat, memory
+from lyra import chat, logbus, memory
 from lyra.llm import Backend
 
+
+def _sse(event: dict) -> str:
+    return f"data: {json.dumps(event)}\n\n"
+
 _STATIC = Path(__file__).parent / "static"
 
 # UI backend labels -> our two backends. Cloud is the default.
@@ -79,7 +85,11 @@ def create_app() -> FastAPI:
         user_msg = _last_user_message(body.get("messages", []))
 
         memory.ensure_session(session_id)
-        reply = await asyncio.to_thread(chat.respond, session_id, user_msg, backend)
+        try:
+            reply = await asyncio.to_thread(chat.respond, session_id, user_msg, backend)
+        except Exception as exc:
+            logbus.log("error", "chat failed", session=session_id, error=str(exc))
+            reply = f"[error] {exc}"
 
         return {
             "object": "chat.completion",
@@ -92,14 +102,25 @@ def create_app() -> FastAPI:
             ],
         }
 
-    @app.get("/stream/thinking/{session_id}")
+    @app.get("/stream/logs")
-    async def thinking_stream(session_id: str) -> StreamingResponse:
+    async def stream_logs(request: Request) -> StreamingResponse:
-        # Inert until cognitive layers exist: open the stream, emit keep-alives only.
+        """Live activity feed: replay the recent buffer, then stream new events."""
         async def gen():
-            yield ": connected\n\n"
+            backlog = logbus.since(0)
+            last = backlog[-1]["seq"] if backlog else 0
+            for e in backlog:
+                yield _sse(e)
+            yield _sse(
+                {"seq": last, "ts": time.time(), "level": "system",
+                 "msg": "live log connected", "fields": {}}
+            )
             while True:
-                await asyncio.sleep(25)
+                if await request.is_disconnected():
-                yield ": keep-alive\n\n"
+                    break
+                for e in logbus.since(last):
+                    last = e["seq"]
+                    yield _sse(e)
+                await asyncio.sleep(0.5)
 
         return StreamingResponse(gen(), media_type="text/event-stream")
 

lyra/web/static/index.html

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
 
     <div class="mobile-menu-section">
       <h4>Actions</h4>
-      <button id="mobileThinkingStreamBtn">🧠 Show Work</button>
+      <button id="mobileThinkingStreamBtn">📜 Live Log</button>
       <button id="mobileSettingsBtn">⚙ Settings</button>
       <button id="mobileToggleThemeBtn">🌙 Toggle Theme</button>
       <button id="mobileForceReloadBtn">🔄 Force Reload</button>
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
       <select id="sessions"></select>
       <button id="newSessionBtn">➕ New</button>
       <button id="renameSessionBtn">✏️ Rename</button>
-      <button id="thinkingStreamBtn" title="Show thinking stream panel">🧠 Show Work</button>
+      <button id="thinkingStreamBtn" title="Show live activity log">📜 Live Log</button>
     </div>
 
     <!-- Status -->
@@ -80,10 +80,10 @@
     <!-- Chat messages -->
     <div id="messages"></div>
 
-    <!-- Thinking Stream Panel (collapsible) -->
+    <!-- Live Log Panel (collapsible) -->
     <div id="thinkingPanel" class="thinking-panel collapsed">
       <div class="thinking-header" id="thinkingHeader">
-        <span>🧠 Thinking Stream</span>
+        <span>📜 Live Log</span>
         <div class="thinking-controls">
           <span class="thinking-status-dot" id="thinkingStatusDot"></span>
           <button class="thinking-clear-btn" id="thinkingClearBtn" title="Clear events">🗑️</button>
@@ -92,8 +92,8 @@
       </div>
       <div class="thinking-content" id="thinkingContent">
         <div class="thinking-empty" id="thinkingEmpty">
-          <div class="thinking-empty-icon">🤔</div>
+          <div class="thinking-empty-icon">📡</div>
-          <p>Waiting for thinking events...</p>
+          <p>Waiting for activity...</p>
         </div>
       </div>
     </div>
@@ -509,22 +509,6 @@
 	  addMessage("system", `Session renamed to: ${newName}`);
 	});
 
-	// Thinking Stream button
-	document.getElementById("thinkingStreamBtn").addEventListener("click", () => {
-	  if (!currentSession) {
-		alert("Please select a session first");
-		return;
-	  }
-
-	  // Open thinking stream in new window
-	  const streamUrl = `http://10.0.0.41:8081/thinking-stream.html?session=${currentSession}`;
-	  const windowFeatures = "width=600,height=800,menubar=no,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no";
-	  window.open(streamUrl, `thinking_${currentSession}`, windowFeatures);
-
-	  addMessage("system", "🧠 Opened thinking stream in new window");
-	});
-
-
       // Settings Modal
       const settingsModal = document.getElementById("settingsModal");
       const settingsBtn = document.getElementById("settingsBtn");
@@ -705,113 +689,63 @@
       }
 
       function connectThinkingStream() {
-        if (!currentSession) return;
-
         // Close existing connection
         if (thinkingEventSource) {
           thinkingEventSource.close();
         }
 
-        // Load persisted events
+        // The server replays its recent buffer on connect, so start from a clean panel.
-        loadThinkingEvents();
+        thinkingContent.innerHTML = '';
-
+        thinkingEventCount = 0;
-        const url = `${CORTEX_BASE}/stream/thinking/${currentSession}`;
+        thinkingContent.appendChild(thinkingEmpty);
-        console.log('Connecting thinking stream:', url);
 
+        const url = `${RELAY_BASE}/stream/logs`;  // global server activity feed
         thinkingEventSource = new EventSource(url);
 
         thinkingEventSource.onopen = () => {
-          console.log('Thinking stream connected');
           thinkingStatusDot.className = 'thinking-status-dot connected';
         };
 
         thinkingEventSource.onmessage = (event) => {
           try {
-            const data = JSON.parse(event.data);
+            addLogEvent(JSON.parse(event.data));
-            addThinkingEvent(data);
-            saveThinkingEvent(data); // Persist event
           } catch (e) {
-            console.error('Failed to parse thinking event:', e);
+            console.error('Failed to parse log event:', e);
           }
         };
 
-        thinkingEventSource.onerror = (error) => {
+        thinkingEventSource.onerror = () => {
-          console.error('Thinking stream error:', error);
           thinkingStatusDot.className = 'thinking-status-dot disconnected';
-
+          // EventSource auto-reconnects; nothing to do here.
-          // Retry connection after 2 seconds
-          setTimeout(() => {
-            if (thinkingEventSource && thinkingEventSource.readyState === EventSource.CLOSED) {
-              console.log('Reconnecting thinking stream...');
-              connectThinkingStream();
-            }
-          }, 2000);
         };
       }
 
-      function addThinkingEvent(event) {
+      function escapeHtml(s) {
+        const d = document.createElement('div');
+        d.textContent = s == null ? '' : String(s);
+        return d.innerHTML;
+      }
+
+      function addLogEvent(event) {
         // Remove empty state if present
         if (thinkingEventCount === 0 && thinkingEmpty.parentNode) {
           thinkingContent.removeChild(thinkingEmpty);
         }
 
+        const level = event.level || 'info';
+        const time = new Date((event.ts || 0) * 1000).toLocaleTimeString();
+        const fields = event.fields || {};
+        const fieldStr = Object.keys(fields).length
+          ? Object.entries(fields).map(([k, v]) => `${k}=${v}`).join('  ')
+          : '';
+
         const eventDiv = document.createElement('div');
-        eventDiv.className = `thinking-event thinking-event-${event.type}`;
+        eventDiv.className = `log-line log-${level}`;
-
-        let icon = '';
-        let message = '';
-        let details = '';
-
-        switch (event.type) {
-          case 'connected':
-            icon = '✓';
-            message = 'Stream connected';
-            details = `Session: ${event.session_id}`;
-            break;
-
-          case 'thinking':
-            icon = '🤔';
-            message = event.data.message;
-            break;
-
-          case 'tool_call':
-            icon = '🔧';
-            message = event.data.message;
-            if (event.data.args) {
-              details = JSON.stringify(event.data.args, null, 2);
-            }
-            break;
-
-          case 'tool_result':
-            icon = '📊';
-            message = event.data.message;
-            if (event.data.result && event.data.result.stdout) {
-              details = `stdout: ${event.data.result.stdout}`;
-            }
-            break;
-
-          case 'done':
-            icon = '✅';
-            message = event.data.message;
-            if (event.data.final_answer) {
-              details = event.data.final_answer;
-            }
-            break;
-
-          case 'error':
-            icon = '❌';
-            message = event.data.message;
-            break;
-
-          default:
-            icon = '•';
-            message = JSON.stringify(event.data);
-        }
-
         eventDiv.innerHTML = `
-          <span class="thinking-event-icon">${icon}</span>
+          <span class="log-time">${escapeHtml(time)}</span>
-          <span>${message}</span>
+          <span class="log-level log-level-${level}">${escapeHtml(level)}</span>
-          ${details ? `<div class="thinking-event-details">${details}</div>` : ''}
+          <span class="log-msg">${escapeHtml(event.msg || '')}</span>
+          ${fieldStr ? `<span class="log-fields">${escapeHtml(fieldStr)}</span>` : ''}
         `;
 
         thinkingContent.appendChild(eventDiv);
@@ -819,47 +753,9 @@
         thinkingEventCount++;
       }
 
-      // Persist thinking events to localStorage
+      // (Log events are server-side and replayed on connect; no localStorage needed.)
-      function saveThinkingEvent(event) {
-        if (!currentSession) return;
 
-        const key = `thinkingEvents_${currentSession}`;
+      // Live Log toggle button
-        let events = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(key) || '[]');
-
-        // Keep only last 50 events to avoid bloating localStorage
-        if (events.length >= 50) {
-          events = events.slice(-49);
-        }
-
-        events.push({
-          ...event,
-          timestamp: Date.now()
-        });
-
-        localStorage.setItem(key, JSON.stringify(events));
-      }
-
-      // Load persisted thinking events
-      function loadThinkingEvents() {
-        if (!currentSession) return;
-
-        const key = `thinkingEvents_${currentSession}`;
-        const events = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(key) || '[]');
-
-        // Clear current display
-        thinkingContent.innerHTML = '';
-        thinkingEventCount = 0;
-
-        // Replay events
-        events.forEach(event => addThinkingEvent(event));
-
-        // Show empty state if no events
-        if (events.length === 0) {
-          thinkingContent.appendChild(thinkingEmpty);
-        }
-      }
-
-      // Update the old thinking stream button to toggle panel instead
       document.getElementById("thinkingStreamBtn").addEventListener("click", () => {
         thinkingPanel.classList.remove("collapsed");
         localStorage.setItem("thinkingPanelCollapsed", "false");
@@ -872,18 +768,10 @@
         localStorage.setItem("thinkingPanelCollapsed", "false");
       });
 
-      // Connect thinking stream when session loads
+      // Connect to the global live log on page load.
-      if (currentSession) {
+      connectThinkingStream();
-        connectThinkingStream();
-      }
 
-      // Reconnect thinking stream when session changes
+      // The live log is global (server-wide), so it does not reconnect on session change.
-      const originalSessionChange = document.getElementById("sessions").onchange;
-      document.getElementById("sessions").addEventListener("change", () => {
-        setTimeout(() => {
-          connectThinkingStream();
-        }, 500); // Wait for session to load
-      });
 
       // Cleanup on page unload
       window.addEventListener('beforeunload', () => {

lyra/web/static/style.css

@@ -907,3 +907,37 @@ select:hover {
     display: none !important;
   }
 }
+
+/* ---- Live Log lines ---- */
+.log-line {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  align-items: baseline;
+  gap: 8px;
+  padding: 4px 8px;
+  border-radius: 4px;
+  font-size: 0.8rem;
+  font-family: 'Courier New', monospace;
+  border-left: 3px solid var(--text-fade);
+  animation: thinkingSlideIn 0.25s ease-out;
+  word-break: break-word;
+}
+.log-time { color: var(--text-fade); flex-shrink: 0; }
+.log-level {
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  font-size: 0.7rem;
+  font-weight: bold;
+  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
+}
+.log-msg { color: var(--text); }
+.log-fields { color: var(--text-fade); width: 100%; padding-left: 4px; }
+
+.log-info    { border-left-color: #00bfff; }
+.log-info .log-level { color: #7dd3fc; }
+.log-debug   { border-left-color: #8a2be2; }
+.log-debug .log-level { color: #c79cff; }
+.log-error   { border-left-color: #ff3333; background: rgba(255,51,51,0.08); }
+.log-error .log-level, .log-error .log-msg { color: #fca5a5; }
+.log-system  { border-left-color: #00ff66; }
+.log-system .log-level { color: #00ff66; }