feat: Add assistant chat persistence and conversation management

README.md

@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ This launches the React-based web UI at `http://localhost:5173` with:
 - Kanban board view of features
 - Real-time agent output streaming
 - Start/pause/stop controls
+- **Project Assistant** - AI chat for managing features and exploring the codebase
 
 ### Option 2: CLI Mode
 
@@ -103,6 +104,21 @@ Features are stored in SQLite via SQLAlchemy and managed through an MCP server t
 - `feature_mark_passing` - Mark feature complete
 - `feature_skip` - Move feature to end of queue
 - `feature_create_bulk` - Initialize all features (used by initializer)
+- `feature_create` - Create a single feature
+
+### Project Assistant
+
+The Web UI includes a **Project Assistant** - an AI-powered chat interface for each project. Click the chat button in the bottom-right corner to open it.
+
+**Capabilities:**
+- **Explore the codebase** - Ask questions about files, architecture, and implementation details
+- **Manage features** - Create new features and deprioritize (skip) existing ones via natural language
+- **Get feature details** - Ask about specific features, their status, and test steps
+
+**Conversation Persistence:**
+- Conversations are automatically saved to `assistant.db` in each project directory
+- When you navigate away and return, your conversation resumes where you left off
+- Click "New Chat" to start a fresh conversation
 
 ### Session Management
 
@@ -151,8 +167,8 @@ autonomous-coding/
 │   ├── main.py               # FastAPI REST API server
 │   ├── websocket.py          # WebSocket handler for real-time updates
 │   ├── schemas.py            # Pydantic schemas
-│   ├── routers/              # API route handlers
-│   └── services/             # Business logic services
+│   ├── routers/              # API route handlers (projects, features, agent, assistant)
+│   └── services/             # Business logic (assistant chat sessions, database)
 ├── ui/                       # React frontend
 │   ├── src/
 │   │   ├── App.tsx           # Main app component
@@ -179,6 +195,7 @@ After the agent runs, your project directory will contain:
 ```
 generations/my_project/
 ├── features.db               # SQLite database (feature test cases)
+├── assistant.db              # SQLite database (assistant chat history)
 ├── prompts/
 │   ├── app_spec.txt          # Your app specification
 │   ├── initializer_prompt.md # First session prompt

server/routers/assistant_chat.py

@@ -288,6 +288,41 @@ async def assistant_chat_websocket(websocket: WebSocket, project_name: str):
                             "content": f"Failed to start session: {str(e)}"
                         })
 
+                elif msg_type == "resume":
+                    # Resume an existing conversation without sending greeting
+                    conversation_id = message.get("conversation_id")
+
+                    # Validate conversation_id is present and valid
+                    if not conversation_id or not isinstance(conversation_id, int):
+                        logger.warning(f"Invalid resume request for {project_name}: missing or invalid conversation_id")
+                        await websocket.send_json({
+                            "type": "error",
+                            "content": "Missing or invalid conversation_id for resume"
+                        })
+                        continue
+
+                    try:
+                        # Create session
+                        session = await create_session(
+                            project_name,
+                            project_dir,
+                            conversation_id=conversation_id,
+                        )
+                        # Initialize but skip the greeting
+                        async for chunk in session.start(skip_greeting=True):
+                            await websocket.send_json(chunk)
+                        # Confirm we're ready
+                        await websocket.send_json({
+                            "type": "conversation_created",
+                            "conversation_id": conversation_id,
+                        })
+                    except Exception as e:
+                        logger.exception(f"Error resuming assistant session for {project_name}")
+                        await websocket.send_json({
+                            "type": "error",
+                            "content": f"Failed to resume session: {str(e)}"
+                        })
+
                 elif msg_type == "message":
                     if not session:
                         session = get_session(project_name)

server/services/assistant_chat_session.py

@@ -191,12 +191,15 @@ async def close(self) -> None:
                 self._client_entered = False
                 self.client = None
 
-    async def start(self) -> AsyncGenerator[dict, None]:
+    async def start(self, skip_greeting: bool = False) -> AsyncGenerator[dict, None]:
         """
         Initialize session with the Claude client.
 
         Creates a new conversation if none exists, then sends an initial greeting.
         Yields message chunks as they stream in.
+
+        Args:
+            skip_greeting: If True, skip sending the greeting (for resuming conversations)
         """
         # Create a new conversation if we don't have one
         if self.conversation_id is None:
@@ -267,18 +270,19 @@ async def start(self) -> AsyncGenerator[dict, None]:
             yield {"type": "error", "content": f"Failed to initialize assistant: {str(e)}"}
             return
 
-        # Send initial greeting
-        try:
-            greeting = f"Hello! I'm your project assistant for **{self.project_name}**. I can help you understand the codebase, explain features, and answer questions about the project. What would you like to know?"
+        # Send initial greeting (unless resuming)
+        if not skip_greeting:
+            try:
+                greeting = f"Hello! I'm your project assistant for **{self.project_name}**. I can help you understand the codebase, manage features (create and deprioritize), and answer questions about the project. What would you like to do?"
 
-            # Store the greeting in the database
-            add_message(self.project_dir, self.conversation_id, "assistant", greeting)
+                # Store the greeting in the database
+                add_message(self.project_dir, self.conversation_id, "assistant", greeting)
 
-            yield {"type": "text", "content": greeting}
-            yield {"type": "response_done"}
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.exception("Failed to send greeting")
-            yield {"type": "error", "content": f"Failed to start conversation: {str(e)}"}
+                yield {"type": "text", "content": greeting}
+                yield {"type": "response_done"}
+            except Exception as e:
+                logger.exception("Failed to send greeting")
+                yield {"type": "error", "content": f"Failed to start conversation: {str(e)}"}
 
     async def send_message(self, user_message: str) -> AsyncGenerator[dict, None]:
         """

ui/src/components/AssistantChat.tsx

@@ -3,101 +3,119 @@
  *
  * Main chat interface for the project assistant.
  * Displays messages and handles user input.
+ * Automatically resumes the most recent conversation.
  */
 
-import { useState, useRef, useEffect, useCallback } from 'react'
-import { Send, Loader2, Wifi, WifiOff } from 'lucide-react'
-import { useAssistantChat } from '../hooks/useAssistantChat'
-import { ChatMessage } from './ChatMessage'
+import { useState, useRef, useEffect, useCallback } from "react";
+import { Send, Loader2, Wifi, WifiOff, Plus } from "lucide-react";
+import { useAssistantChat } from "../hooks/useAssistantChat";
+import { ChatMessage } from "./ChatMessage";
 
 interface AssistantChatProps {
-  projectName: string
+  projectName: string;
 }
 
 export function AssistantChat({ projectName }: AssistantChatProps) {
-  const [inputValue, setInputValue] = useState('')
-  const messagesEndRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null)
-  const inputRef = useRef<HTMLTextAreaElement>(null)
-  const hasStartedRef = useRef(false)
+  const [inputValue, setInputValue] = useState("");
+  const messagesEndRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const inputRef = useRef<HTMLTextAreaElement>(null);
 
   // Memoize the error handler to prevent infinite re-renders
   const handleError = useCallback((error: string) => {
-    console.error('Assistant error:', error)
-  }, [])
+    console.error("Assistant error:", error);
+  }, []);
 
   const {
     messages,
     isLoading,
     connectionStatus,
-    start,
+    isLoadingHistory,
+    startNewConversation,
     sendMessage,
   } = useAssistantChat({
     projectName,
     onError: handleError,
-  })
+  });
 
   // Auto-scroll to bottom on new messages
   useEffect(() => {
-    messagesEndRef.current?.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth' })
-  }, [messages])
-
-  // Start the chat session when component mounts (only once)
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (!hasStartedRef.current) {
-      hasStartedRef.current = true
-      start()
-    }
-  }, [start])
+    messagesEndRef.current?.scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth" });
+  }, [messages]);
 
   // Focus input when not loading
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!isLoading) {
-      inputRef.current?.focus()
+      inputRef.current?.focus();
     }
-  }, [isLoading])
+  }, [isLoading]);
 
   const handleSend = () => {
-    const content = inputValue.trim()
-    if (!content || isLoading) return
+    const content = inputValue.trim();
+    if (!content || isLoading) return;
 
-    sendMessage(content)
-    setInputValue('')
-  }
+    sendMessage(content);
+    setInputValue("");
+  };
 
   const handleKeyDown = (e: React.KeyboardEvent<HTMLTextAreaElement>) => {
-    if (e.key === 'Enter' && !e.shiftKey) {
-      e.preventDefault()
-      handleSend()
+    if (e.key === "Enter" && !e.shiftKey) {
+      e.preventDefault();
+      handleSend();
     }
-  }
+  };
 
   return (
     <div className="flex flex-col h-full">
-      {/* Connection status indicator */}
-      <div className="flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 border-b-2 border-[var(--color-neo-border)] bg-[var(--color-neo-bg)]">
-        {connectionStatus === 'connected' ? (
-          <>
-            <Wifi size={14} className="text-[var(--color-neo-done)]" />
-            <span className="text-xs text-[var(--color-neo-text-secondary)]">Connected</span>
-          </>
-        ) : connectionStatus === 'connecting' ? (
-          <>
-            <Loader2 size={14} className="text-[var(--color-neo-progress)] animate-spin" />
-            <span className="text-xs text-[var(--color-neo-text-secondary)]">Connecting...</span>
-          </>
-        ) : (
-          <>
-            <WifiOff size={14} className="text-[var(--color-neo-danger)]" />
-            <span className="text-xs text-[var(--color-neo-text-secondary)]">Disconnected</span>
-          </>
-        )}
+      {/* Header with connection status and new chat button */}
+      <div className="flex items-center justify-between px-4 py-2 border-b-2 border-[var(--color-neo-border)] bg-[var(--color-neo-bg)]">
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+          {connectionStatus === "connected" ? (
+            <>
+              <Wifi size={14} className="text-[var(--color-neo-done)]" />
+              <span className="text-xs text-[var(--color-neo-text-secondary)]">
+                Connected
+              </span>
+            </>
+          ) : connectionStatus === "connecting" ? (
+            <>
+              <Loader2
+                size={14}
+                className="text-[var(--color-neo-progress)] animate-spin"
+              />
+              <span className="text-xs text-[var(--color-neo-text-secondary)]">
+                Connecting...
+              </span>
+            </>
+          ) : (
+            <>
+              <WifiOff size={14} className="text-[var(--color-neo-danger)]" />
+              <span className="text-xs text-[var(--color-neo-text-secondary)]">
+                Disconnected
+              </span>
+            </>
+          )}
+        </div>
+        <button
+          onClick={startNewConversation}
+          disabled={isLoading || isLoadingHistory}
+          className="flex items-center gap-1 px-2 py-1 text-xs font-medium text-[var(--color-neo-text-secondary)] hover:text-[var(--color-neo-text)] hover:bg-[var(--color-neo-bg-alt)] rounded border border-[var(--color-neo-border)] transition-colors disabled:opacity-50 disabled:cursor-not-allowed"
+          title="Start a new conversation"
+        >
+          <Plus size={14} />
+          New Chat
+        </button>
       </div>
 
       {/* Messages area */}
       <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto bg-[var(--color-neo-bg)]">
         {messages.length === 0 ? (
           <div className="flex items-center justify-center h-full text-[var(--color-neo-text-secondary)] text-sm">
-            {isLoading ? (
+            {isLoadingHistory ? (
+              <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+                <Loader2 size={16} className="animate-spin" />
+                <span>Loading conversation...</span>
+              </div>
+            ) : isLoading ? (
               <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
                 <Loader2 size={16} className="animate-spin" />
                 <span>Connecting to assistant...</span>
@@ -121,9 +139,18 @@ export function AssistantChat({ projectName }: AssistantChatProps) {
         <div className="px-4 py-2 border-t-2 border-[var(--color-neo-border)] bg-[var(--color-neo-bg)]">
           <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-[var(--color-neo-text-secondary)] text-sm">
             <div className="flex gap-1">
-              <span className="w-2 h-2 bg-[var(--color-neo-progress)] rounded-full animate-bounce" style={{ animationDelay: '0ms' }} />
-              <span className="w-2 h-2 bg-[var(--color-neo-progress)] rounded-full animate-bounce" style={{ animationDelay: '150ms' }} />
-              <span className="w-2 h-2 bg-[var(--color-neo-progress)] rounded-full animate-bounce" style={{ animationDelay: '300ms' }} />
+              <span
+                className="w-2 h-2 bg-[var(--color-neo-progress)] rounded-full animate-bounce"
+                style={{ animationDelay: "0ms" }}
+              />
+              <span
+                className="w-2 h-2 bg-[var(--color-neo-progress)] rounded-full animate-bounce"
+                style={{ animationDelay: "150ms" }}
+              />
+              <span
+                className="w-2 h-2 bg-[var(--color-neo-progress)] rounded-full animate-bounce"
+                style={{ animationDelay: "300ms" }}
+              />
             </div>
             <span>Thinking...</span>
           </div>
@@ -139,7 +166,7 @@ export function AssistantChat({ projectName }: AssistantChatProps) {
             onChange={(e) => setInputValue(e.target.value)}
             onKeyDown={handleKeyDown}
             placeholder="Ask about the codebase..."
-            disabled={isLoading || connectionStatus !== 'connected'}
+            disabled={isLoading || connectionStatus !== "connected"}
             className="
               flex-1
               neo-input
@@ -152,7 +179,11 @@ export function AssistantChat({ projectName }: AssistantChatProps) {
           />
           <button
             onClick={handleSend}
-            disabled={!inputValue.trim() || isLoading || connectionStatus !== 'connected'}
+            disabled={
+              !inputValue.trim() ||
+              isLoading ||
+              connectionStatus !== "connected"
+            }
             className="
               neo-btn neo-btn-primary
               px-4
@@ -172,5 +203,5 @@ export function AssistantChat({ projectName }: AssistantChatProps) {
         </p>
       </div>
     </div>
-  )
+  );
 }