diff --git a/TODO b/TODO
index 1a94a18..7232b2f 100644
--- a/TODO
+++ b/TODO
@@ -1,11 +1,18 @@
 next tasks
 
-- get something working with autonomous mode
+x get something working with autonomous mode
 - g3d
+x ui abstraction from core
 - context token counting bug
+- embedded model
+  - prompt rewriting
+  - generates status messages "ruffling feathers..."
+  - project description?
+- treesitter + friends
 - error where it just gives up turn
 - "project" behaviors (read readme first)
-- ui 
-  - git 
+- advance project mgmt
+  - git for reverting
   - swarm
+  - ui tests / computer controller
 
diff --git a/crates/g3-cli/src/lib.rs b/crates/g3-cli/src/lib.rs
index e80a935..9de06e1 100644
--- a/crates/g3-cli/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/g3-cli/src/lib.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use anyhow::Result;
 use clap::Parser;
 use g3_config::Config;
-use g3_core::{project::Project, Agent};
+use g3_core::{project::Project, Agent, ui_writer::UiWriter};
 use rustyline::error::ReadlineError;
 use rustyline::DefaultEditor;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
@@ -9,7 +9,9 @@ use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 use tracing::{error, info};
 
 mod tui;
+mod ui_writer_impl;
 use tui::SimpleOutput;
+use ui_writer_impl::ConsoleUiWriter;
 
 #[derive(Parser)]
 #[command(name = "g3")]
@@ -108,7 +110,8 @@ pub async fn run() -> Result<()> {
     let config = Config::load(cli.config.as_deref())?;
 
     // Initialize agent
-    let mut agent = Agent::new(config).await?;
+    let ui_writer = ConsoleUiWriter::new();
+    let mut agent = Agent::new(config, ui_writer).await?;
 
     // Execute task, autonomous mode, or start interactive mode
     if cli.autonomous {
@@ -141,7 +144,7 @@ pub async fn run() -> Result<()> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
-async fn run_interactive(mut agent: Agent, show_prompt: bool, show_code: bool) -> Result<()> {
+async fn run_interactive<W: UiWriter>(mut agent: Agent<W>, show_prompt: bool, show_code: bool) -> Result<()> {
     let output = SimpleOutput::new();
 
     output.print("");
@@ -278,7 +281,7 @@ async fn run_interactive(mut agent: Agent, show_prompt: bool, show_code: bool) -
     Ok(())
 }
 
-async fn execute_task(agent: &mut Agent, input: &str, show_prompt: bool, show_code: bool, output: &SimpleOutput) {
+async fn execute_task<W: UiWriter>(agent: &mut Agent<W>, input: &str, show_prompt: bool, show_code: bool, output: &SimpleOutput) {
     // Show thinking indicator immediately
     output.print("🤔 Thinking...");
     // Note: flush is handled internally by println
@@ -337,7 +340,7 @@ async fn execute_task(agent: &mut Agent, input: &str, show_prompt: bool, show_co
     }
 }
 
-fn display_context_progress(agent: &Agent, output: &SimpleOutput) {
+fn display_context_progress<W: UiWriter>(agent: &Agent<W>, output: &SimpleOutput) {
     let context = agent.get_context_window();
     output.print_context(context.used_tokens, context.total_tokens, context.percentage_used());
 }
@@ -369,7 +372,7 @@ fn setup_workspace_directory() -> Result<PathBuf> {
 
 // Simplified autonomous mode implementation
 async fn run_autonomous(
-    mut agent: Agent,
+    mut agent: Agent<ConsoleUiWriter>,
     project: Project,
     show_prompt: bool,
     show_code: bool,
@@ -443,7 +446,8 @@ async fn run_autonomous(
 
         // Create a new agent instance for coach mode to ensure fresh context
         let config = g3_config::Config::load(None)?;
-        let mut coach_agent = Agent::new(config).await?;
+        let ui_writer = ConsoleUiWriter::new();
+        let mut coach_agent = Agent::new(config, ui_writer).await?;
 
         // Ensure coach agent is also in the workspace directory
         project.enter_workspace()?;
diff --git a/crates/g3-cli/src/ui_writer_impl.rs b/crates/g3-cli/src/ui_writer_impl.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c79e57d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/g3-cli/src/ui_writer_impl.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+use g3_core::ui_writer::UiWriter;
+use std::io::{self, Write};
+
+/// Console implementation of UiWriter that prints to stdout
+pub struct ConsoleUiWriter;
+
+impl ConsoleUiWriter {
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        Self
+    }
+}
+
+impl UiWriter for ConsoleUiWriter {
+    fn print(&self, message: &str) {
+        println!("{}", message);
+    }
+    
+    fn println(&self, message: &str) {
+        println!("{}", message);
+    }
+    
+    fn print_inline(&self, message: &str) {
+        print!("{}", message);
+        let _ = io::stdout().flush();
+    }
+    
+    fn print_system_prompt(&self, prompt: &str) {
+        println!("🔍 System Prompt:");
+        println!("================");
+        println!("{}", prompt);
+        println!("================");
+        println!();
+    }
+    
+    fn print_context_status(&self, message: &str) {
+        println!("{}", message);
+    }
+    
+    fn print_tool_header(&self, tool_name: &str) {
+        println!("┌─ {}", tool_name);
+    }
+    
+    fn print_tool_arg(&self, key: &str, value: &str) {
+        println!("│ {}: {}", key, value);
+    }
+    
+    fn print_tool_output_header(&self) {
+        println!("├─ output:");
+    }
+    
+    fn print_tool_output_line(&self, line: &str) {
+        println!("│ {}", line);
+    }
+    
+    fn print_tool_output_summary(&self, hidden_count: usize) {
+        println!(
+            "│ ... ({} more line{} hidden)",
+            hidden_count,
+            if hidden_count == 1 { "" } else { "s" }
+        );
+    }
+    
+    fn print_tool_timing(&self, duration_str: &str) {
+        println!("└─ ⚡️ {}", duration_str);
+        println!();
+    }
+    
+    fn print_agent_prompt(&self) {
+        print!("🤖 ");
+        let _ = io::stdout().flush();
+    }
+    
+    fn print_agent_response(&self, content: &str) {
+        print!("{}", content);
+        let _ = io::stdout().flush();
+    }
+    
+    fn flush(&self) {
+        let _ = io::stdout().flush();
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/crates/g3-core/src/lib.rs b/crates/g3-core/src/lib.rs
index e7037b1..afd8aa9 100644
--- a/crates/g3-core/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/g3-core/src/lib.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 pub mod error_handling;
 pub mod project;
+pub mod ui_writer;
+use crate::ui_writer::UiWriter;
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod error_handling_test;
@@ -331,15 +333,16 @@ Format this as a detailed but concise summary that can be used to resume the con
     }
 }
 
-pub struct Agent {
+pub struct Agent<W: UiWriter> {
     providers: ProviderRegistry,
     context_window: ContextWindow,
     session_id: Option<String>,
     tool_call_metrics: Vec<(String, Duration, bool)>, // (tool_name, duration, success)
+    ui_writer: W,
 }
 
-impl Agent {
-    pub async fn new(config: Config) -> Result<Self> {
+impl<W: UiWriter> Agent<W> {
+    pub async fn new(config: Config, ui_writer: W) -> Result<Self> {
         let mut providers = ProviderRegistry::new();
 
         // Only register providers that are configured AND selected as the default provider
@@ -428,6 +431,7 @@ impl Agent {
             context_window,
             session_id: None,
             tool_call_metrics: Vec::new(),
+            ui_writer,
         })
     }
 
@@ -630,7 +634,7 @@ The tool will execute immediately and you'll receive the result (success or erro
 
 - **str_replace**: Replace text in a file using a diff
   - Format: {\"tool\": \"str_replace\", \"args\": {\"file_path\": \"path/to/file\", \"diff\": \"--- old\\n-old text\\n+++ new\\n+new text\"}}
-  - Example: {\"tool\": \"str_replace\", \"args\": {\"file_path\": \"src/main.rs\", \"diff\": \"--- old\\n-println!(\\\"old\\\");\\n+++ new\\n+println!(\\\"new\\\");\"}}
+  - Example: {\"tool\": \"str_replace\", \"args\": {\"file_path\": \"src/main.rs\", \"diff\": \"--- old\\n-old_code();\\n+++ new\\n+new_code();\"}}
 
 - **final_output**: Signal task completion with a detailed summary of work done in markdown format
   - Format: {\"tool\": \"final_output\", \"args\": {\"summary\": \"what_was_accomplished\"}}
@@ -651,11 +655,7 @@ The tool will execute immediately and you'll receive the result (success or erro
             };
 
             if show_prompt {
-                println!("🔍 System Prompt:");
-                println!("================");
-                println!("{}", system_prompt);
-                println!("================");
-                println!();
+                self.ui_writer.print_system_prompt(&system_prompt);
             }
 
             // Add system message to context window
@@ -1029,7 +1029,6 @@ The tool will execute immediately and you'll receive the result (success or erro
         mut request: CompletionRequest,
     ) -> Result<(String, Duration)> {
         use crate::error_handling::ErrorContext;
-        use std::io::{self, Write};
         use tokio_stream::StreamExt;
 
         debug!("Starting stream_completion_with_tools");
@@ -1052,10 +1051,10 @@ The tool will execute immediately and you'll receive the result (success or erro
             );
 
             // Notify user about summarization
-            println!(
+            self.ui_writer.print_context_status(&format!(
                 "\n📊 Context window reaching capacity ({}%). Creating summary...",
                 self.context_window.percentage_used() as u32
-            );
+            ));
 
             // Create summary request with FULL history
             let summary_prompt = self.context_window.create_summary_prompt();
@@ -1135,7 +1134,7 @@ The tool will execute immediately and you'll receive the result (success or erro
             // Get the summary
             match provider.complete(summary_request).await {
                 Ok(summary_response) => {
-                    println!("✅ Summary created successfully. Resetting context window...\n");
+                    self.ui_writer.print_context_status("✅ Summary created successfully. Resetting context window...\n");
 
                     // Extract the latest user message from the request
                     let latest_user_msg = request
@@ -1152,11 +1151,11 @@ The tool will execute immediately and you'll receive the result (success or erro
                     // Update the request with new context
                     request.messages = self.context_window.conversation_history.clone();
 
-                    println!("🔄 Context reset complete. Continuing with your request...\n");
+                    self.ui_writer.print_context_status("🔄 Context reset complete. Continuing with your request...\n");
                 }
                 Err(e) => {
                     error!("Failed to create summary: {}", e);
-                    println!("⚠️ Unable to create summary. Consider starting a new session if you continue to see errors.\n");
+                    self.ui_writer.print_context_status("⚠️ Unable to create summary. Consider starting a new session if you continue to see errors.\n");
                     // Don't continue with the original request if summarization failed
                     // as we're likely at token limit
                     return Err(anyhow::anyhow!("Context window at capacity and summarization failed. Please start a new session."));
@@ -1318,20 +1317,20 @@ The tool will execute immediately and you'll receive the result (success or erro
 
                             if !new_content.trim().is_empty() {
                                 if !response_started {
-                                    print!("\r🤖 ");
+                                    self.ui_writer.print_agent_prompt();
                                     response_started = true;
                                 }
-                                print!("{}", new_content);
-                                io::stdout().flush()?;
+                                self.ui_writer.print_agent_response(&new_content);
+                                self.ui_writer.flush();
                             }
 
                             // Execute the tool with formatted output
-                            println!(); // New line before tool execution
+                            self.ui_writer.println(""); // New line before tool execution
 
                             // Skip printing tool call details for final_output
                             if tool_call.tool != "final_output" {
                                 // Tool call header
-                                println!("┌─ {}", tool_call.tool);
+                                self.ui_writer.print_tool_header(&tool_call.tool);
                                 if let Some(args_obj) = tool_call.args.as_object() {
                                     for (key, value) in args_obj {
                                         let value_str = match value {
@@ -1356,10 +1355,10 @@ The tool will execute immediately and you'll receive the result (success or erro
                                             }
                                             _ => value.to_string(),
                                         };
-                                        println!("│ {}: {}", key, value_str);
+                                        self.ui_writer.print_tool_arg(key, &value_str);
                                     }
                                 }
-                                println!("├─ output:");
+                                self.ui_writer.print_tool_output_header();
                             }
 
                             let exec_start = Instant::now();
@@ -1382,18 +1381,14 @@ The tool will execute immediately and you'll receive the result (success or erro
 
                                 if output_lines.len() <= MAX_LINES {
                                     for line in output_lines {
-                                        println!("│ {}", line);
+                                        self.ui_writer.print_tool_output_line(line);
                                     }
                                 } else {
                                     for line in output_lines.iter().take(MAX_LINES) {
-                                        println!("│ {}", line);
+                                        self.ui_writer.print_tool_output_line(line);
                                     }
                                     let hidden_count = output_lines.len() - MAX_LINES;
-                                    println!(
-                                        "│ ... ({} more line{} hidden)",
-                                        hidden_count,
-                                        if hidden_count == 1 { "" } else { "s" }
-                                    );
+                                    self.ui_writer.print_tool_output_summary(hidden_count);
                                 }
                             }
 
@@ -1405,7 +1400,7 @@ The tool will execute immediately and you'll receive the result (success or erro
                                         full_response.push_str(&format!("\n\n=> {}", summary_str));
                                     }
                                 }
-                                println!();
+                                self.ui_writer.println("");
                                 let ttft =
                                     first_token_time.unwrap_or_else(|| stream_start.elapsed());
                                 return Ok((full_response, ttft));
@@ -1413,10 +1408,8 @@ The tool will execute immediately and you'll receive the result (success or erro
 
                             // Closure marker with timing
                             if tool_call.tool != "final_output" {
-                                println!("└─ ⚡️ {}", Self::format_duration(exec_duration));
-                                println!();
-                                print!("🤖 ");
-                                io::stdout().flush()?;
+                                self.ui_writer.print_tool_timing(&Self::format_duration(exec_duration));
+                                self.ui_writer.print_agent_prompt();
                             }
 
                             // Add the tool call and result to the context window
@@ -1482,12 +1475,12 @@ The tool will execute immediately and you'll receive the result (success or erro
 
                                 if !filtered_content.is_empty() {
                                     if !response_started {
-                                        print!("\r🤖 ");
+                                        self.ui_writer.print_agent_prompt();
                                         response_started = true;
                                     }
 
-                                    print!("{}", filtered_content);
-                                    let _ = io::stdout().flush();
+                                    self.ui_writer.print_agent_response(&filtered_content);
+                                    self.ui_writer.flush();
                                     current_response.push_str(&filtered_content);
                                 }
                             }
@@ -1599,7 +1592,7 @@ The tool will execute immediately and you'll receive the result (success or erro
                                     full_response.push_str(&current_response);
                                 }
 
-                                println!();
+                                self.ui_writer.println("");
                                 let ttft =
                                     first_token_time.unwrap_or_else(|| stream_start.elapsed());
                                 return Ok((full_response, ttft));
@@ -1643,7 +1636,7 @@ The tool will execute immediately and you'll receive the result (success or erro
                     );
                 } else {
                     full_response.push_str(&current_response);
-                    println!();
+                    self.ui_writer.println("");
                 }
 
                 let ttft = first_token_time.unwrap_or_else(|| stream_start.elapsed());
diff --git a/crates/g3-core/src/ui_writer.rs b/crates/g3-core/src/ui_writer.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4be0fbc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/g3-core/src/ui_writer.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+/// Interface for UI output operations
+/// This trait abstracts all UI operations to allow different implementations
+/// (console, TUI, web, etc.) without coupling the core logic to specific output methods.
+pub trait UiWriter: Send + Sync {
+    /// Print a simple message
+    fn print(&self, message: &str);
+    
+    /// Print a message with a newline
+    fn println(&self, message: &str);
+    
+    /// Print without newline (for progress indicators)
+    fn print_inline(&self, message: &str);
+    
+    /// Print a system prompt section
+    fn print_system_prompt(&self, prompt: &str);
+    
+    /// Print a context window status message
+    fn print_context_status(&self, message: &str);
+    
+    /// Print a tool execution header
+    fn print_tool_header(&self, tool_name: &str);
+    
+    /// Print a tool argument
+    fn print_tool_arg(&self, key: &str, value: &str);
+    
+    /// Print tool output header
+    fn print_tool_output_header(&self);
+    
+    /// Print a tool output line
+    fn print_tool_output_line(&self, line: &str);
+    
+    /// Print tool output summary (when output is truncated)
+    fn print_tool_output_summary(&self, hidden_count: usize);
+    
+    /// Print tool execution timing
+    fn print_tool_timing(&self, duration_str: &str);
+    
+    /// Print the agent prompt indicator
+    fn print_agent_prompt(&self);
+    
+    /// Print agent response inline (for streaming)
+    fn print_agent_response(&self, content: &str);
+    
+    /// Flush any buffered output
+    fn flush(&self);
+}
+
+/// A no-op implementation for when UI output is not needed
+pub struct NullUiWriter;
+
+impl UiWriter for NullUiWriter {
+    fn print(&self, _message: &str) {}
+    fn println(&self, _message: &str) {}
+    fn print_inline(&self, _message: &str) {}
+    fn print_system_prompt(&self, _prompt: &str) {}
+    fn print_context_status(&self, _message: &str) {}
+    fn print_tool_header(&self, _tool_name: &str) {}
+    fn print_tool_arg(&self, _key: &str, _value: &str) {}
+    fn print_tool_output_header(&self) {}
+    fn print_tool_output_line(&self, _line: &str) {}
+    fn print_tool_output_summary(&self, _hidden_count: usize) {}
+    fn print_tool_timing(&self, _duration_str: &str) {}
+    fn print_agent_prompt(&self) {}
+    fn print_agent_response(&self, _content: &str) {}
+    fn flush(&self) {}
+}
\ No newline at end of file