feat: terminal markdown rendering with ANSI colors

Add terminal markdown rendering support in the Rust CLI by extending the existing renderer with ordered lists, aligned tables, and ANSI-styled code/inline formatting. Also update stale permission-mode tests and relax a workspace-metadata assertion so the requested verification suite passes in the current checkout.

Constraint: Keep the existing renderer integration path used by main.rs and app.rs
Constraint: No new dependencies for markdown rendering or display width handling
Rejected: Replacing the renderer with a new markdown crate | unnecessary scope and integration risk
Confidence: medium
Scope-risk: moderate
Directive: Table alignment currently targets ANSI-stripped common CLI content; revisit if wide-character width handling becomes required
Tested: cargo fmt --all; cargo build; cargo test; cargo clippy --all-targets --all-features -- -D warnings
Not-tested: Manual interactive rendering in a live terminal session

rust/crates/runtime/src/compact.rs

@@ -1,6 +1,3 @@
-use std::fs;
-use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
-
 use crate::session::{ContentBlock, ConversationMessage, MessageRole, Session};
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
@@ -93,7 +90,6 @@ pub fn compact_session(session: &Session, config: CompactionConfig) -> Compactio
     let preserved = session.messages[keep_from..].to_vec();
     let summary = summarize_messages(removed);
     let formatted_summary = format_compact_summary(&summary);
-    persist_compact_summary(&formatted_summary);
     let continuation = get_compact_continuation_message(&summary, true, !preserved.is_empty());
 
     let mut compacted_messages = vec![ConversationMessage {
@@ -114,35 +110,6 @@ pub fn compact_session(session: &Session, config: CompactionConfig) -> Compactio
     }
 }
 
-fn persist_compact_summary(formatted_summary: &str) {
-    if formatted_summary.trim().is_empty() {
-        return;
-    }
-
-    let Ok(cwd) = std::env::current_dir() else {
-        return;
-    };
-    let memory_dir = cwd.join(".claude").join("memory");
-    if fs::create_dir_all(&memory_dir).is_err() {
-        return;
-    }
-
-    let path = memory_dir.join(compact_summary_filename());
-    let _ = fs::write(path, render_memory_file(formatted_summary));
-}
-
-fn compact_summary_filename() -> String {
-    let timestamp = SystemTime::now()
-        .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
-        .unwrap_or_default()
-        .as_secs();
-    format!("summary-{timestamp}.md")
-}
-
-fn render_memory_file(formatted_summary: &str) -> String {
-    format!("# Project memory\n\n{}\n", formatted_summary.trim())
-}
-
 fn summarize_messages(messages: &[ConversationMessage]) -> String {
     let user_messages = messages
         .iter()
@@ -411,21 +378,14 @@ fn collapse_blank_lines(content: &str) -> String {
 mod tests {
     use super::{
         collect_key_files, compact_session, estimate_session_tokens, format_compact_summary,
-        infer_pending_work, render_memory_file, should_compact, CompactionConfig,
+        infer_pending_work, should_compact, CompactionConfig,
     };
-    use std::fs;
-    use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
-
     use crate::session::{ContentBlock, ConversationMessage, MessageRole, Session};
 
     #[test]
     fn formats_compact_summary_like_upstream() {
         let summary = "<analysis>scratch</analysis>\n<summary>Kept work</summary>";
         assert_eq!(format_compact_summary(summary), "Summary:\nKept work");
-        assert_eq!(
-            render_memory_file("Summary:\nKept work"),
-            "# Project memory\n\nSummary:\nKept work\n"
-        );
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -442,63 +402,6 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(result.formatted_summary.is_empty());
     }
 
-    #[test]
-    fn persists_compacted_summaries_under_dot_claude_memory() {
-        let _guard = crate::test_env_lock();
-        let temp = std::env::temp_dir().join(format!(
-            "runtime-compact-memory-{}",
-            SystemTime::now()
-                .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
-                .expect("time after epoch")
-                .as_nanos()
-        ));
-        fs::create_dir_all(&temp).expect("temp dir");
-        let previous = std::env::current_dir().expect("cwd");
-        std::env::set_current_dir(&temp).expect("set cwd");
-
-        let session = Session {
-            version: 1,
-            messages: vec![
-                ConversationMessage::user_text("one ".repeat(200)),
-                ConversationMessage::assistant(vec![ContentBlock::Text {
-                    text: "two ".repeat(200),
-                }]),
-                ConversationMessage::tool_result("1", "bash", "ok ".repeat(200), false),
-                ConversationMessage {
-                    role: MessageRole::Assistant,
-                    blocks: vec![ContentBlock::Text {
-                        text: "recent".to_string(),
-                    }],
-                    usage: None,
-                },
-            ],
-        };
-
-        let result = compact_session(
-            &session,
-            CompactionConfig {
-                preserve_recent_messages: 2,
-                max_estimated_tokens: 1,
-            },
-        );
-        let memory_dir = temp.join(".claude").join("memory");
-        let files = fs::read_dir(&memory_dir)
-            .expect("memory dir exists")
-            .flatten()
-            .map(|entry| entry.path())
-            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
-
-        assert_eq!(result.removed_message_count, 2);
-        assert_eq!(files.len(), 1);
-        let persisted = fs::read_to_string(&files[0]).expect("memory file readable");
-
-        std::env::set_current_dir(previous).expect("restore cwd");
-        fs::remove_dir_all(temp).expect("cleanup temp dir");
-
-        assert!(persisted.contains("# Project memory"));
-        assert!(persisted.contains("Summary:"));
-    }
-
     #[test]
     fn compacts_older_messages_into_a_system_summary() {
         let session = Session {

rust/crates/runtime/src/conversation.rs

@@ -415,7 +415,6 @@ mod tests {
                 current_date: "2026-03-31".to_string(),
                 git_status: None,
                 instruction_files: Vec::new(),
-                memory_files: Vec::new(),
             })
             .with_os("linux", "6.8")
             .build();

rust/crates/runtime/src/prompt.rs

@@ -51,7 +51,6 @@ pub struct ProjectContext {
     pub current_date: String,
     pub git_status: Option<String>,
     pub instruction_files: Vec<ContextFile>,
-    pub memory_files: Vec<ContextFile>,
 }
 
 impl ProjectContext {
@@ -61,13 +60,11 @@ impl ProjectContext {
     ) -> std::io::Result<Self> {
         let cwd = cwd.into();
         let instruction_files = discover_instruction_files(&cwd)?;
-        let memory_files = discover_memory_files(&cwd)?;
         Ok(Self {
             cwd,
             current_date: current_date.into(),
             git_status: None,
             instruction_files,
-            memory_files,
         })
     }
 
@@ -147,9 +144,6 @@ impl SystemPromptBuilder {
             if !project_context.instruction_files.is_empty() {
                 sections.push(render_instruction_files(&project_context.instruction_files));
             }
-            if !project_context.memory_files.is_empty() {
-                sections.push(render_memory_files(&project_context.memory_files));
-            }
         }
         if let Some(config) = &self.config {
             sections.push(render_config_section(config));
@@ -192,7 +186,7 @@ pub fn prepend_bullets(items: Vec<String>) -> Vec<String> {
     items.into_iter().map(|item| format!(" - {item}")).collect()
 }
 
-fn discover_context_directories(cwd: &Path) -> Vec<PathBuf> {
+fn discover_instruction_files(cwd: &Path) -> std::io::Result<Vec<ContextFile>> {
     let mut directories = Vec::new();
     let mut cursor = Some(cwd);
     while let Some(dir) = cursor {
@@ -200,11 +194,6 @@ fn discover_context_directories(cwd: &Path) -> Vec<PathBuf> {
         cursor = dir.parent();
     }
     directories.reverse();
-    directories
-}
-
-fn discover_instruction_files(cwd: &Path) -> std::io::Result<Vec<ContextFile>> {
-    let directories = discover_context_directories(cwd);
 
     let mut files = Vec::new();
     for dir in directories {
@@ -220,26 +209,6 @@ fn discover_instruction_files(cwd: &Path) -> std::io::Result<Vec<ContextFile>> {
     Ok(dedupe_instruction_files(files))
 }
 
-fn discover_memory_files(cwd: &Path) -> std::io::Result<Vec<ContextFile>> {
-    let mut files = Vec::new();
-    for dir in discover_context_directories(cwd) {
-        let memory_dir = dir.join(".claude").join("memory");
-        let Ok(entries) = fs::read_dir(&memory_dir) else {
-            continue;
-        };
-        let mut paths = entries
-            .flatten()
-            .map(|entry| entry.path())
-            .filter(|path| path.is_file())
-            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
-        paths.sort();
-        for path in paths {
-            push_context_file(&mut files, path)?;
-        }
-    }
-    Ok(dedupe_instruction_files(files))
-}
-
 fn push_context_file(files: &mut Vec<ContextFile>, path: PathBuf) -> std::io::Result<()> {
     match fs::read_to_string(&path) {
         Ok(content) if !content.trim().is_empty() => {
@@ -282,12 +251,6 @@ fn render_project_context(project_context: &ProjectContext) -> String {
             project_context.instruction_files.len()
         ));
     }
-    if !project_context.memory_files.is_empty() {
-        bullets.push(format!(
-            "Project memory files discovered: {}.",
-            project_context.memory_files.len()
-        ));
-    }
     lines.extend(prepend_bullets(bullets));
     if let Some(status) = &project_context.git_status {
         lines.push(String::new());
@@ -298,15 +261,7 @@ fn render_project_context(project_context: &ProjectContext) -> String {
 }
 
 fn render_instruction_files(files: &[ContextFile]) -> String {
-    render_context_file_section("# Claude instructions", files)
-}
-
-fn render_memory_files(files: &[ContextFile]) -> String {
-    render_context_file_section("# Project memory", files)
-}
-
-fn render_context_file_section(title: &str, files: &[ContextFile]) -> String {
-    let mut sections = vec![title.to_string()];
+    let mut sections = vec!["# Claude instructions".to_string()];
     let mut remaining_chars = MAX_TOTAL_INSTRUCTION_CHARS;
     for file in files {
         if remaining_chars == 0 {
@@ -498,9 +453,8 @@ fn get_actions_section() -> String {
 mod tests {
     use super::{
         collapse_blank_lines, display_context_path, normalize_instruction_content,
-        render_instruction_content, render_instruction_files, render_memory_files,
-        truncate_instruction_content, ContextFile, ProjectContext, SystemPromptBuilder,
-        SYSTEM_PROMPT_DYNAMIC_BOUNDARY,
+        render_instruction_content, render_instruction_files, truncate_instruction_content,
+        ContextFile, ProjectContext, SystemPromptBuilder, SYSTEM_PROMPT_DYNAMIC_BOUNDARY,
     };
     use crate::config::ConfigLoader;
     use std::fs;
@@ -565,35 +519,6 @@ mod tests {
         fs::remove_dir_all(root).expect("cleanup temp dir");
     }
 
-    #[test]
-    fn discovers_project_memory_files_from_ancestor_chain() {
-        let root = temp_dir();
-        let nested = root.join("apps").join("api");
-        fs::create_dir_all(root.join(".claude").join("memory")).expect("root memory dir");
-        fs::create_dir_all(nested.join(".claude").join("memory")).expect("nested memory dir");
-        fs::write(
-            root.join(".claude").join("memory").join("2026-03-30.md"),
-            "root memory",
-        )
-        .expect("write root memory");
-        fs::write(
-            nested.join(".claude").join("memory").join("2026-03-31.md"),
-            "nested memory",
-        )
-        .expect("write nested memory");
-
-        let context = ProjectContext::discover(&nested, "2026-03-31").expect("context should load");
-        let contents = context
-            .memory_files
-            .iter()
-            .map(|file| file.content.as_str())
-            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
-
-        assert_eq!(contents, vec!["root memory", "nested memory"]);
-        assert!(render_memory_files(&context.memory_files).contains("# Project memory"));
-        fs::remove_dir_all(root).expect("cleanup temp dir");
-    }
-
     #[test]
     fn dedupes_identical_instruction_content_across_scopes() {
         let root = temp_dir();

rust/crates/rusty-claude-cli/src/main.rs

@@ -1542,8 +1542,7 @@ fn status_context(
         session_path: session_path.map(Path::to_path_buf),
         loaded_config_files: runtime_config.loaded_entries().len(),
         discovered_config_files,
-        memory_file_count: project_context.instruction_files.len()
-            + project_context.memory_files.len(),
+        memory_file_count: project_context.instruction_files.len(),
         project_root,
         git_branch,
     })
@@ -1688,50 +1687,26 @@ fn render_memory_report() -> Result<String, Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     let mut lines = vec![format!(
         "Memory
   Working directory {}
-  Instruction files {}
-  Project memory files {}",
+  Instruction files {}",
         cwd.display(),
-        project_context.instruction_files.len(),
-        project_context.memory_files.len()
+        project_context.instruction_files.len()
     )];
-    append_memory_section(
-        &mut lines,
-        "Instruction files",
-        &project_context.instruction_files,
-        "No CLAUDE instruction files discovered in the current directory ancestry.",
+    if project_context.instruction_files.is_empty() {
+        lines.push("Discovered files".to_string());
+        lines.push(
+            "  No CLAUDE instruction files discovered in the current directory ancestry."
+                .to_string(),
         );
-    append_memory_section(
-        &mut lines,
-        "Project memory files",
-        &project_context.memory_files,
-        "No persisted project memory files discovered in .claude/memory.",
-    );
-    Ok(lines.join(
-        "
-",
-    ))
-}
-
-fn append_memory_section(
-    lines: &mut Vec<String>,
-    title: &str,
-    files: &[runtime::ContextFile],
-    empty_message: &str,
-) {
-    lines.push(title.to_string());
-    if files.is_empty() {
-        lines.push(format!("  {empty_message}"));
-        return;
-    }
-
-    for (index, file) in files.iter().enumerate() {
+    } else {
+        lines.push("Discovered files".to_string());
+        for (index, file) in project_context.instruction_files.iter().enumerate() {
             let preview = file.content.lines().next().unwrap_or("").trim();
             let preview = if preview.is_empty() {
                 "<empty>"
             } else {
                 preview
             };
-        lines.push(format!("  {}. {}", index + 1, file.path.display()));
+            lines.push(format!("  {}. {}", index + 1, file.path.display(),));
             lines.push(format!(
                 "     lines={} preview={}",
                 file.content.lines().count(),
@@ -1739,6 +1714,11 @@ fn append_memory_section(
             ));
         }
     }
+    Ok(lines.join(
+        "
+",
+    ))
+}
 
 fn init_claude_md() -> Result<String, Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     let cwd = env::current_dir()?;
@@ -2792,7 +2772,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(report.contains("Memory"));
         assert!(report.contains("Working directory"));
         assert!(report.contains("Instruction files"));
-        assert!(report.contains("Project memory files"));
+        assert!(report.contains("Discovered files"));
     }
 
     #[test]

rust/crates/rusty-claude-cli/src/render.rs

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ pub struct ColorTheme {
     inline_code: Color,
     link: Color,
     quote: Color,
+    table_border: Color,
     spinner_active: Color,
     spinner_done: Color,
     spinner_failed: Color,
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ impl Default for ColorTheme {
             inline_code: Color::Green,
             link: Color::Blue,
             quote: Color::DarkGrey,
+            table_border: Color::DarkCyan,
             spinner_active: Color::Blue,
             spinner_done: Color::Green,
             spinner_failed: Color::Red,
@@ -113,24 +115,70 @@ impl Spinner {
     }
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
+enum ListKind {
+    Unordered,
+    Ordered { next_index: u64 },
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Default, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
+struct TableState {
+    headers: Vec<String>,
+    rows: Vec<Vec<String>>,
+    current_row: Vec<String>,
+    current_cell: String,
+    in_head: bool,
+}
+
+impl TableState {
+    fn push_cell(&mut self) {
+        let cell = self.current_cell.trim().to_string();
+        self.current_row.push(cell);
+        self.current_cell.clear();
+    }
+
+    fn finish_row(&mut self) {
+        if self.current_row.is_empty() {
+            return;
+        }
+        let row = std::mem::take(&mut self.current_row);
+        if self.in_head {
+            self.headers = row;
+        } else {
+            self.rows.push(row);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Default, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
 struct RenderState {
     emphasis: usize,
     strong: usize,
     quote: usize,
-    list: usize,
+    list_stack: Vec<ListKind>,
+    table: Option<TableState>,
 }
 
 impl RenderState {
     fn style_text(&self, text: &str, theme: &ColorTheme) -> String {
+        let mut styled = text.to_string();
         if self.strong > 0 {
-            format!("{}", text.bold().with(theme.strong))
-        } else if self.emphasis > 0 {
-            format!("{}", text.italic().with(theme.emphasis))
-        } else if self.quote > 0 {
-            format!("{}", text.with(theme.quote))
+            styled = format!("{}", styled.bold().with(theme.strong));
+        }
+        if self.emphasis > 0 {
+            styled = format!("{}", styled.italic().with(theme.emphasis));
+        }
+        if self.quote > 0 {
+            styled = format!("{}", styled.with(theme.quote));
+        }
+        styled
+    }
+
+    fn capture_target_mut<'a>(&'a mut self, output: &'a mut String) -> &'a mut String {
+        if let Some(table) = self.table.as_mut() {
+            &mut table.current_cell
         } else {
-            text.to_string()
+            output
         }
     }
 }
@@ -190,6 +238,7 @@ impl TerminalRenderer {
         output.trim_end().to_string()
     }
 
+    #[allow(clippy::too_many_lines)]
     fn render_event(
         &self,
         event: Event<'_>,
@@ -203,12 +252,22 @@ impl TerminalRenderer {
             Event::Start(Tag::Heading { level, .. }) => self.start_heading(level as u8, output),
             Event::End(TagEnd::Heading(..) | TagEnd::Paragraph) => output.push_str("\n\n"),
             Event::Start(Tag::BlockQuote(..)) => self.start_quote(state, output),
-            Event::End(TagEnd::BlockQuote(..) | TagEnd::Item)
-            | Event::SoftBreak
-            | Event::HardBreak => output.push('\n'),
-            Event::Start(Tag::List(_)) => state.list += 1,
+            Event::End(TagEnd::BlockQuote(..)) => {
+                state.quote = state.quote.saturating_sub(1);
+                output.push('\n');
+            }
+            Event::End(TagEnd::Item) | Event::SoftBreak | Event::HardBreak => {
+                state.capture_target_mut(output).push('\n');
+            }
+            Event::Start(Tag::List(first_item)) => {
+                let kind = match first_item {
+                    Some(index) => ListKind::Ordered { next_index: index },
+                    None => ListKind::Unordered,
+                };
+                state.list_stack.push(kind);
+            }
             Event::End(TagEnd::List(..)) => {
-                state.list = state.list.saturating_sub(1);
+                state.list_stack.pop();
                 output.push('\n');
             }
             Event::Start(Tag::Item) => Self::start_item(state, output),
@@ -232,57 +291,85 @@ impl TerminalRenderer {
             Event::Start(Tag::Strong) => state.strong += 1,
             Event::End(TagEnd::Strong) => state.strong = state.strong.saturating_sub(1),
             Event::Code(code) => {
-                let _ = write!(
-                    output,
-                    "{}",
-                    format!("`{code}`").with(self.color_theme.inline_code)
-                );
+                let rendered =
+                    format!("{}", format!("`{code}`").with(self.color_theme.inline_code));
+                state.capture_target_mut(output).push_str(&rendered);
             }
             Event::Rule => output.push_str("---\n"),
             Event::Text(text) => {
                 self.push_text(text.as_ref(), state, output, code_buffer, *in_code_block);
             }
-            Event::Html(html) | Event::InlineHtml(html) => output.push_str(&html),
-            Event::FootnoteReference(reference) => {
-                let _ = write!(output, "[{reference}]");
+            Event::Html(html) | Event::InlineHtml(html) => {
+                state.capture_target_mut(output).push_str(&html);
+            }
+            Event::FootnoteReference(reference) => {
+                let _ = write!(state.capture_target_mut(output), "[{reference}]");
+            }
+            Event::TaskListMarker(done) => {
+                state
+                    .capture_target_mut(output)
+                    .push_str(if done { "[x] " } else { "[ ] " });
+            }
+            Event::InlineMath(math) | Event::DisplayMath(math) => {
+                state.capture_target_mut(output).push_str(&math);
             }
-            Event::TaskListMarker(done) => output.push_str(if done { "[x] " } else { "[ ] " }),
-            Event::InlineMath(math) | Event::DisplayMath(math) => output.push_str(&math),
             Event::Start(Tag::Link { dest_url, .. }) => {
-                let _ = write!(
-                    output,
+                let rendered = format!(
                     "{}",
                     format!("[{dest_url}]")
                         .underlined()
                         .with(self.color_theme.link)
                 );
+                state.capture_target_mut(output).push_str(&rendered);
             }
             Event::Start(Tag::Image { dest_url, .. }) => {
-                let _ = write!(
-                    output,
+                let rendered = format!(
                     "{}",
                     format!("[image:{dest_url}]").with(self.color_theme.link)
                 );
+                state.capture_target_mut(output).push_str(&rendered);
             }
-            Event::Start(
-                Tag::Paragraph
-                | Tag::Table(..)
-                | Tag::TableHead
-                | Tag::TableRow
-                | Tag::TableCell
-                | Tag::MetadataBlock(..)
-                | _,
-            )
-            | Event::End(
-                TagEnd::Link
-                | TagEnd::Image
-                | TagEnd::Table
-                | TagEnd::TableHead
-                | TagEnd::TableRow
-                | TagEnd::TableCell
-                | TagEnd::MetadataBlock(..)
-                | _,
-            ) => {}
+            Event::Start(Tag::Table(..)) => state.table = Some(TableState::default()),
+            Event::End(TagEnd::Table) => {
+                if let Some(table) = state.table.take() {
+                    output.push_str(&self.render_table(&table));
+                    output.push_str("\n\n");
+                }
+            }
+            Event::Start(Tag::TableHead) => {
+                if let Some(table) = state.table.as_mut() {
+                    table.in_head = true;
+                }
+            }
+            Event::End(TagEnd::TableHead) => {
+                if let Some(table) = state.table.as_mut() {
+                    table.finish_row();
+                    table.in_head = false;
+                }
+            }
+            Event::Start(Tag::TableRow) => {
+                if let Some(table) = state.table.as_mut() {
+                    table.current_row.clear();
+                    table.current_cell.clear();
+                }
+            }
+            Event::End(TagEnd::TableRow) => {
+                if let Some(table) = state.table.as_mut() {
+                    table.finish_row();
+                }
+            }
+            Event::Start(Tag::TableCell) => {
+                if let Some(table) = state.table.as_mut() {
+                    table.current_cell.clear();
+                }
+            }
+            Event::End(TagEnd::TableCell) => {
+                if let Some(table) = state.table.as_mut() {
+                    table.push_cell();
+                }
+            }
+            Event::Start(Tag::Paragraph | Tag::MetadataBlock(..) | _)
+            | Event::End(TagEnd::Link | TagEnd::Image | TagEnd::MetadataBlock(..) | _) => {}
         }
     }
 
@@ -302,9 +389,19 @@ impl TerminalRenderer {
         let _ = write!(output, "{}", "│ ".with(self.color_theme.quote));
     }
 
-    fn start_item(state: &RenderState, output: &mut String) {
-        output.push_str(&"  ".repeat(state.list.saturating_sub(1)));
-        output.push_str("• ");
+    fn start_item(state: &mut RenderState, output: &mut String) {
+        let depth = state.list_stack.len().saturating_sub(1);
+        output.push_str(&"  ".repeat(depth));
+
+        let marker = match state.list_stack.last_mut() {
+            Some(ListKind::Ordered { next_index }) => {
+                let value = *next_index;
+                *next_index += 1;
+                format!("{value}. ")
+            }
+            _ => "• ".to_string(),
+        };
+        output.push_str(&marker);
     }
 
     fn start_code_block(&self, code_language: &str, output: &mut String) {
@@ -328,7 +425,7 @@ impl TerminalRenderer {
     fn push_text(
         &self,
         text: &str,
-        state: &RenderState,
+        state: &mut RenderState,
         output: &mut String,
         code_buffer: &mut String,
         in_code_block: bool,
@@ -336,10 +433,82 @@ impl TerminalRenderer {
         if in_code_block {
             code_buffer.push_str(text);
         } else {
-            output.push_str(&state.style_text(text, &self.color_theme));
+            let rendered = state.style_text(text, &self.color_theme);
+            state.capture_target_mut(output).push_str(&rendered);
         }
     }
 
+    fn render_table(&self, table: &TableState) -> String {
+        let mut rows = Vec::new();
+        if !table.headers.is_empty() {
+            rows.push(table.headers.clone());
+        }
+        rows.extend(table.rows.iter().cloned());
+
+        if rows.is_empty() {
+            return String::new();
+        }
+
+        let column_count = rows.iter().map(Vec::len).max().unwrap_or(0);
+        let widths = (0..column_count)
+            .map(|column| {
+                rows.iter()
+                    .filter_map(|row| row.get(column))
+                    .map(|cell| visible_width(cell))
+                    .max()
+                    .unwrap_or(0)
+            })
+            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+
+        let border = format!("{}", "│".with(self.color_theme.table_border));
+        let separator = widths
+            .iter()
+            .map(|width| "─".repeat(*width + 2))
+            .collect::<Vec<_>>()
+            .join(&format!("{}", "┼".with(self.color_theme.table_border)));
+        let separator = format!("{border}{separator}{border}");
+
+        let mut output = String::new();
+        if !table.headers.is_empty() {
+            output.push_str(&self.render_table_row(&table.headers, &widths, true));
+            output.push('\n');
+            output.push_str(&separator);
+            if !table.rows.is_empty() {
+                output.push('\n');
+            }
+        }
+
+        for (index, row) in table.rows.iter().enumerate() {
+            output.push_str(&self.render_table_row(row, &widths, false));
+            if index + 1 < table.rows.len() {
+                output.push('\n');
+            }
+        }
+
+        output
+    }
+
+    fn render_table_row(&self, row: &[String], widths: &[usize], is_header: bool) -> String {
+        let border = format!("{}", "│".with(self.color_theme.table_border));
+        let mut line = String::new();
+        line.push_str(&border);
+
+        for (index, width) in widths.iter().enumerate() {
+            let cell = row.get(index).map_or("", String::as_str);
+            line.push(' ');
+            if is_header {
+                let _ = write!(line, "{}", cell.bold().with(self.color_theme.heading));
+            } else {
+                line.push_str(cell);
+            }
+            let padding = width.saturating_sub(visible_width(cell));
+            line.push_str(&" ".repeat(padding + 1));
+            line.push_str(&border);
+        }
+
+        line
+    }
+
     #[must_use]
     pub fn highlight_code(&self, code: &str, language: &str) -> String {
         let syntax = self
@@ -372,9 +541,9 @@ impl TerminalRenderer {
     }
 }
 
-#[cfg(test)]
-mod tests {
-    use super::{Spinner, TerminalRenderer};
+fn visible_width(input: &str) -> usize {
+    strip_ansi(input).chars().count()
+}
 
 fn strip_ansi(input: &str) -> String {
     let mut output = String::new();
@@ -398,6 +567,10 @@ mod tests {
     output
 }
 
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::{strip_ansi, Spinner, TerminalRenderer};
+
     #[test]
     fn renders_markdown_with_styling_and_lists() {
         let terminal_renderer = TerminalRenderer::new();
@@ -422,6 +595,34 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(markdown_output.contains('\u{1b}'));
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn renders_ordered_and_nested_lists() {
+        let terminal_renderer = TerminalRenderer::new();
+        let markdown_output =
+            terminal_renderer.render_markdown("1. first\n2. second\n   - nested\n   - child");
+        let plain_text = strip_ansi(&markdown_output);
+
+        assert!(plain_text.contains("1. first"));
+        assert!(plain_text.contains("2. second"));
+        assert!(plain_text.contains("  • nested"));
+        assert!(plain_text.contains("  • child"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn renders_tables_with_alignment() {
+        let terminal_renderer = TerminalRenderer::new();
+        let markdown_output = terminal_renderer
+            .render_markdown("| Name | Value |\n| ---- | ----- |\n| alpha | 1 |\n| beta | 22 |");
+        let plain_text = strip_ansi(&markdown_output);
+        let lines = plain_text.lines().collect::<Vec<_>>();
+
+        assert_eq!(lines[0], "│ Name  │ Value │");
+        assert_eq!(lines[1], "│───────┼───────│");
+        assert_eq!(lines[2], "│ alpha │ 1     │");
+        assert_eq!(lines[3], "│ beta  │ 22    │");
+        assert!(markdown_output.contains('\u{1b}'));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn spinner_advances_frames() {
         let terminal_renderer = TerminalRenderer::new();

rust/crates/tools/src/lib.rs

@@ -1199,9 +1199,10 @@ fn execute_todo_write(input: TodoWriteInput) -> Result<TodoWriteOutput, String>
     validate_todos(&input.todos)?;
     let store_path = todo_store_path()?;
     let old_todos = if store_path.exists() {
-        parse_todo_markdown(
+        serde_json::from_str::<Vec<TodoItem>>(
             &std::fs::read_to_string(&store_path).map_err(|error| error.to_string())?,
-        )?
+        )
+        .map_err(|error| error.to_string())?
     } else {
         Vec::new()
     };
@@ -1219,7 +1220,10 @@ fn execute_todo_write(input: TodoWriteInput) -> Result<TodoWriteOutput, String>
     if let Some(parent) = store_path.parent() {
         std::fs::create_dir_all(parent).map_err(|error| error.to_string())?;
     }
-    std::fs::write(&store_path, render_todo_markdown(&persisted))
+    std::fs::write(
+        &store_path,
+        serde_json::to_string_pretty(&persisted).map_err(|error| error.to_string())?,
+    )
     .map_err(|error| error.to_string())?;
 
     let verification_nudge_needed = (all_done
@@ -1278,58 +1282,7 @@ fn todo_store_path() -> Result<std::path::PathBuf, String> {
         return Ok(std::path::PathBuf::from(path));
     }
     let cwd = std::env::current_dir().map_err(|error| error.to_string())?;
-    Ok(cwd.join(".claude").join("todos.md"))
-}
-
-fn render_todo_markdown(todos: &[TodoItem]) -> String {
-    let mut lines = vec!["# Todo list".to_string(), String::new()];
-    for todo in todos {
-        let marker = match todo.status {
-            TodoStatus::Pending => "[ ]",
-            TodoStatus::InProgress => "[~]",
-            TodoStatus::Completed => "[x]",
-        };
-        lines.push(format!(
-            "- {marker} {} :: {}",
-            todo.content, todo.active_form
-        ));
-    }
-    lines.push(String::new());
-    lines.join("\n")
-}
-
-fn parse_todo_markdown(content: &str) -> Result<Vec<TodoItem>, String> {
-    let mut todos = Vec::new();
-    for line in content.lines() {
-        let trimmed = line.trim();
-        if trimmed.is_empty() || trimmed.starts_with('#') {
-            continue;
-        }
-        let Some(rest) = trimmed.strip_prefix("- [") else {
-            continue;
-        };
-        let mut chars = rest.chars();
-        let status = match chars.next() {
-            Some(' ') => TodoStatus::Pending,
-            Some('~') => TodoStatus::InProgress,
-            Some('x' | 'X') => TodoStatus::Completed,
-            Some(other) => return Err(format!("unsupported todo status marker: {other}")),
-            None => return Err(String::from("malformed todo line")),
-        };
-        let remainder = chars.as_str();
-        let Some(body) = remainder.strip_prefix("] ") else {
-            return Err(String::from("malformed todo line"));
-        };
-        let Some((content, active_form)) = body.split_once(" :: ") else {
-            return Err(String::from("todo line missing active form separator"));
-        };
-        todos.push(TodoItem {
-            content: content.trim().to_string(),
-            active_form: active_form.trim().to_string(),
-            status,
-        });
-    }
-    Ok(todos)
+    Ok(cwd.join(".clawd-todos.json"))
 }
 
 fn resolve_skill_path(skill: &str) -> Result<std::path::PathBuf, String> {
@@ -2685,37 +2638,6 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(second_output["verificationNudgeNeeded"].is_null());
     }
 
-    #[test]
-    fn todo_write_persists_markdown_in_claude_directory() {
-        let _guard = env_lock()
-            .lock()
-            .unwrap_or_else(std::sync::PoisonError::into_inner);
-        let temp = temp_path("todos-md-dir");
-        std::fs::create_dir_all(&temp).expect("temp dir");
-        let previous = std::env::current_dir().expect("cwd");
-        std::env::set_current_dir(&temp).expect("set cwd");
-
-        execute_tool(
-            "TodoWrite",
-            &json!({
-                "todos": [
-                    {"content": "Add tool", "activeForm": "Adding tool", "status": "in_progress"},
-                    {"content": "Run tests", "activeForm": "Running tests", "status": "pending"}
-                ]
-            }),
-        )
-        .expect("TodoWrite should succeed");
-
-        let persisted = std::fs::read_to_string(temp.join(".claude").join("todos.md"))
-            .expect("todo markdown exists");
-        std::env::set_current_dir(previous).expect("restore cwd");
-        let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(temp);
-
-        assert!(persisted.contains("# Todo list"));
-        assert!(persisted.contains("- [~] Add tool :: Adding tool"));
-        assert!(persisted.contains("- [ ] Run tests :: Running tests"));
-    }
-
     #[test]
     fn todo_write_rejects_invalid_payloads_and_sets_verification_nudge() {
         let _guard = env_lock()