> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://podium.do/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Supervise a running agent session

> Check agent state, send input, recover errors, and stop sessions safely.

Use structured status for routine supervision and open the transcript only when you need exact conversation context. This keeps attention on decisions instead of terminal noise.

## Check session state

Look up the session ID on its issue, then inspect it:

```bash theme={"system"}
podium issue show your_issue_ref
podium session status your_session_id
```

Status reports the runtime, context use, phase, issue state, commits, changed files, subagents, and unacknowledged messages. It does not include raw transcript text.

## Read recent transcript context

Read a bounded window when structured status does not explain the state:

```bash theme={"system"}
podium session read your_session_id --turns 8
```

Use `podium session recap your_session_id` for a server-side summary since your last watermark.

## Send input

Send a normal turn to an active session:

```bash theme={"system"}
podium session send your_session_id \
  --text "Run the focused test and attach the result."
```

Add `--wake` when the session is parked. Use `podium session continue` only for a session in an errored phase.

## Stop a session

Preserve its work before stopping the session:

```bash theme={"system"}
podium session stop your_session_id
```

For an issue-backed session, Podium refuses a normal stop when its managed worktree has unsaved changes. `--force` can free that dirty worktree and discard the changes, so inspect and preserve them first. A successful stop puts a resumable session into the hibernated state and keeps its record and transcript. An issue-backed session also keeps its branch so Podium can recreate the worktree.

## Distinguish common attention states

Choose the next action from the session's current state:

| State | First action |
| - | - |
| Needs input | Answer the question in the session panel |
| Idle | Inspect the latest result and issue state |
| Working | Wait or read structured status |
| Retryable error | Read the error, fix its cause, then continue |
| Permission request | Approve only after checking the exact command and target |

See [troubleshooting](/docs/troubleshooting) when the process or machine state is unclear.