research: pipeline-running signal + spinners so users aren't guessing

The prior flow was ambiguous: after hitting Start research, status
flipped to "processing" and a "Submit for review" button appeared
immediately with no indication that anything was actually running.
Users had to guess whether the pipeline was working or stalled.

Backend surfaces the truth as a signal:
- new topology_runs::active_runs_for_research_topic counts
  queued+running runs whose research_topic_id matches
- TopicDetail includes runs_in_flight: i64 alongside the existing
  status field, so the canvas can distinguish "pipeline still
  working" from "runner stalled".

ResearchCanvas is now honest about state:
- while runs_in_flight > 0, the header status pill grows a cyan
  "N runs in flight" badge with an inline SVG spinner
- the stage-explainer card turns cyan-bordered and shows a
  "pipeline is running" hint, plus copy pointing the user at the
  Agents tier where each teammate's activity streams live
- the "Submit for review (manual)" button is HIDDEN while any run
  is in flight — it's an escape hatch for stalled runs only, not
  the happy-path action. It reappears if runs_in_flight drops to
  zero but the topic is still marked processing, so a stalled
  runner can still be nudged along.
- the canvas polls getTopic every 4s while status is processing/
  publishing or runs_in_flight > 0, so the spinner + outcome swap
  in automatically when the pipeline completes.

ResearchList sidebar:
- each row's status dot becomes a spinner when the topic's status
  is processing or publishing, matching the canvas at a glance
- the list also polls every 6s while ANY topic is active, so
  transitions land in the sidebar without waiting on a parent bump.
  The poll is gated on a derived boolean to avoid effect thrash.

Follow-up: same pattern belongs on LoopsList / LoopsCanvas for
loop iterations in flight — same signal (queued+running runs per
loop) but not wired here.

.sqlx/query-a014c185ae37744045471dfbb4d82f783f23177c4e53bc1348f3384be446aecd.json

@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+{
+  "db_name": "PostgreSQL",
+  "query": "SELECT count(*) AS n\n           FROM topology_runs\n          WHERE research_topic_id = $1\n            AND status IN ('queued', 'running')",
+  "describe": {
+    "columns": [
+      {
+        "ordinal": 0,
+        "name": "n",
+        "type_info": "Int8"
+      }
+    ],
+    "parameters": {
+      "Left": [
+        "Uuid"
+      ]
+    },
+    "nullable": [
+      null
+    ]
+  },
+  "hash": "a014c185ae37744045471dfbb4d82f783f23177c4e53bc1348f3384be446aecd"
+}

crates/cm-api/src/routes/research.rs

@@ -245,6 +245,11 @@ pub struct TopicDetail {
     /// beyond so reviewers see what actually needs approval.
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub latest_outcome: Option<cm_db::repo::research_outcomes::Outcome>,
+    /// queued + running topology_runs bound to this topic. > 0 means the
+    /// pipeline is still working — the canvas shows a running badge with a
+    /// spinner and hides the manual "Submit for review" button, which is
+    /// only offered when this is 0 (as an escape hatch for stalled runs).
+    pub runs_in_flight: i64,
 }
 
 pub async fn get_topic(
@@ -261,11 +266,14 @@ pub async fn get_topic(
             .await?
             .is_some();
     let latest_outcome = cm_db::repo::research_outcomes::latest(&state.pool, id).await?;
+    let runs_in_flight =
+        cm_db::repo::topology_runs::active_runs_for_research_topic(&state.pool, id).await?;
     Ok(Json(TopicDetail {
         topic,
         agents,
         has_pending_publish_request,
         latest_outcome,
+        runs_in_flight,
     }))
 }
 

crates/cm-db/src/repo/topology_runs.rs

@@ -147,6 +147,26 @@ pub async fn enqueue_run_for_team(
     Ok(())
 }
 
+/// Count `queued` + `running` runs whose `research_topic_id` matches. The
+/// research canvas polls this so it can show a spinner "the pipeline is
+/// running" and suppress the manual "Submit for review" escape hatch
+/// while any run is still in flight.
+pub async fn active_runs_for_research_topic(
+    pool: &PgPool,
+    research_topic_id: Uuid,
+) -> Result<i64, DbError> {
+    let row = sqlx::query!(
+        "SELECT count(*) AS n
+           FROM topology_runs
+          WHERE research_topic_id = $1
+            AND status IN ('queued', 'running')",
+        research_topic_id,
+    )
+    .fetch_one(pool)
+    .await?;
+    Ok(row.n.unwrap_or(0))
+}
+
 /// The research topic this run belongs to, if any. Used by the topology
 /// worker's `freeze_research_outcome` post-hook to snapshot the run's
 /// final synthesis into `research_outcomes`.

frontend/src/components/dashboard/ResearchCanvas.tsx

@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ const STAGE_COPY: Record<TopicStatus, { stage: string; nextHint: string }> = {
     nextHint: "Kick off the research — assigned agents start working the prompt.",
   },
   processing: {
-    stage: "Research in progress. Waiting for the assigned agents to finish drafting.",
+    stage: "Pipeline is running. The assigned agents are drafting the outcome; each agent's activity streams into their card in real time.",
-    nextHint: "Move the topic to review once the draft looks complete.",
+    nextHint: "This transitions automatically when the last agent finishes. The manual button is only offered as an escape hatch if the runner stalls.",
   },
   reviewing: {
     stage: "Under review — read the draft above and decide whether to publish.",
@@ -47,7 +47,11 @@ const STAGE_COPY: Record<TopicStatus, { stage: string; nextHint: string }> = {
   published: { stage: "Published. This topic is done.", nextHint: "" },
 };
 
-function nextAction(status: TopicStatus, hasPendingPublish: boolean): {
+function nextAction(
+  status: TopicStatus,
+  hasPendingPublish: boolean,
+  runsInFlight: number,
+): {
   label: string;
   run: (id: string) => Promise<unknown>;
 } | null {
@@ -55,7 +59,11 @@ function nextAction(status: TopicStatus, hasPendingPublish: boolean): {
     case "standby":
       return { label: "Start research", run: startTopic };
     case "processing":
-      return { label: "Submit for review", run: submitReview };
+      // While any run is queued or executing, DON'T offer submit-for-review
+      // — the runner auto-transitions on completion. Only show the manual
+      // escape hatch when nothing's in flight (indicates a stall).
+      if (runsInFlight > 0) return null;
+      return { label: "Submit for review (manual)", run: submitReview };
     case "reviewing":
       // Backend already has a pending approval — don't offer the button
       // (a second click 409s). Frontend surfaces an "Awaiting" note below.
@@ -84,12 +92,12 @@ export function ResearchCanvas({
 
   useEffect(() => {
     let alive = true;
-    const load = async () => {
+    const load = async (opts?: { silent?: boolean }) => {
       if (!selectedId) {
         if (alive) setTopic(null);
         return;
       }
-      setLoading(true);
+      if (!opts?.silent) setLoading(true);
       setError(null);
       try {
         const d = await getTopic(selectedId);
@@ -97,7 +105,7 @@ export function ResearchCanvas({
       } catch (e) {
         if (alive) setError(e instanceof Error ? e.message : "load failed");
       } finally {
-        if (alive) setLoading(false);
+        if (alive && !opts?.silent) setLoading(false);
       }
     };
     load();
@@ -106,6 +114,32 @@ export function ResearchCanvas({
     };
   }, [selectedId, refreshKey]);
 
+  // Poll while the pipeline is actively running so the status pill, spinner,
+  // and outcome swap in automatically without the user hitting refresh.
+  // Stops polling as soon as the topic settles into a terminal state or
+  // enters `reviewing` (nothing more will auto-change until user acts).
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!selectedId) return;
+    if (!topic) return;
+    const shouldPoll =
+      topic.status === "processing" || topic.status === "publishing" ||
+      topic.runs_in_flight > 0;
+    if (!shouldPoll) return;
+    let alive = true;
+    const tick = async () => {
+      if (!alive) return;
+      try {
+        const d = await getTopic(selectedId);
+        if (alive) setTopic(d);
+      } catch { /* keep silent — a transient error shouldn't wipe the panel */ }
+    };
+    const handle = setInterval(tick, 4000);
+    return () => {
+      alive = false;
+      clearInterval(handle);
+    };
+  }, [selectedId, topic?.status, topic?.runs_in_flight]);
+
   if (!selectedId) {
     return <Placeholder />;
   }
@@ -122,8 +156,15 @@ export function ResearchCanvas({
   }
 
   const dot = STATUS_COLOR[topic.status];
-  const action = nextAction(topic.status, topic.has_pending_publish_request);
+  const action = nextAction(
+    topic.status,
+    topic.has_pending_publish_request,
+    topic.runs_in_flight,
+  );
   const stageCopy = STAGE_COPY[topic.status];
+  const pipelineRunning =
+    (topic.status === "processing" || topic.status === "publishing") &&
+    topic.runs_in_flight > 0;
   const agentById = new Map(agents.map((a) => [a.id, a]));
 
   async function runAction() {
@@ -174,6 +215,27 @@ export function ResearchCanvas({
           >
             <span style={{ width: 7, height: 7, borderRadius: "50%", background: dot }} />
             <span style={{ color: dot, fontWeight: 700 }}>{topic.status.toUpperCase()}</span>
+            {pipelineRunning ? (
+              <>
+                <span style={{ opacity: 0.5 }}>·</span>
+                <span
+                  style={{
+                    display: "inline-flex",
+                    alignItems: "center",
+                    gap: 6,
+                    padding: "2px 9px",
+                    borderRadius: 999,
+                    background: "rgba(94,200,216,.12)",
+                    color: "#5ec8d8",
+                    border: "1px solid rgba(94,200,216,.35)",
+                    fontWeight: 600,
+                  }}
+                >
+                  <Spinner />
+                  {topic.runs_in_flight} run{topic.runs_in_flight === 1 ? "" : "s"} in flight
+                </span>
+              </>
+            ) : null}
             <span style={{ opacity: 0.5 }}>·</span>
             <span>{topic.outcome_kind.replace("_", " ")}</span>
             {topic.published_at && (
@@ -318,26 +380,59 @@ export function ResearchCanvas({
         <div style={{ display: "flex", flexDirection: "column", gap: 8 }}>
           <div
             style={{
-              padding: "10px 14px",
+              padding: "12px 14px",
               borderRadius: 10,
-              border: "1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.06)",
+              border: pipelineRunning
-              background: "#101014",
+                ? "1px solid rgba(94,200,216,.35)"
+                : "1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.06)",
+              background: pipelineRunning ? "rgba(94,200,216,.06)" : "#101014",
               display: "flex",
               flexDirection: "column",
-              gap: 4,
+              gap: 6,
             }}
           >
-            <div style={{ fontFamily: mono, fontSize: 10, letterSpacing: ".12em", color: dot }}>
+            <div
+              style={{
+                display: "flex",
+                alignItems: "center",
+                gap: 8,
+                fontFamily: mono,
+                fontSize: 10,
+                letterSpacing: ".12em",
+                color: pipelineRunning ? "#5ec8d8" : dot,
+              }}
+            >
+              {pipelineRunning ? <Spinner /> : null}
               STAGE · {topic.status.toUpperCase()}
+              {pipelineRunning ? (
+                <span style={{ letterSpacing: 0, color: "#5ec8d8", opacity: 0.8 }}>
+                  · pipeline is running
+                </span>
+              ) : null}
             </div>
             <div style={{ fontSize: 12.5, color: "#cfcfd5", lineHeight: 1.55 }}>
               {stageCopy.stage}
             </div>
-            {action && stageCopy.nextHint ? (
+            {stageCopy.nextHint ? (
               <div style={{ fontFamily: mono, fontSize: 11, color: "#8a8a92", marginTop: 2 }}>
                 Next → {stageCopy.nextHint}
               </div>
             ) : null}
+            {pipelineRunning ? (
+              <div
+                style={{
+                  fontFamily: mono,
+                  fontSize: 11,
+                  color: "#8a8a92",
+                  marginTop: 4,
+                  lineHeight: 1.55,
+                }}
+              >
+                Open the Agents tier to watch each teammate's activity live —
+                the reasoning stream and tool calls surface on their agent
+                cards as the run progresses.
+              </div>
+            ) : null}
           </div>
 
           {action ? (
@@ -388,6 +483,35 @@ export function ResearchCanvas({
   );
 }
 
+// Small SVG spinner used inline in the status pill and the running-pipeline
+// card. Uses SMIL <animateTransform> so it works without any global CSS
+// keyframes and doesn't depend on a lucide icon.
+function Spinner({ size = 12, color = "#5ec8d8" }: { size?: number; color?: string }) {
+  return (
+    <svg
+      width={size}
+      height={size}
+      viewBox="0 0 20 20"
+      xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
+      aria-hidden
+    >
+      <g fill="none" stroke={color} strokeWidth="2.4" strokeLinecap="round">
+        <circle cx="10" cy="10" r="7.5" opacity="0.22" />
+        <path d="M17.5 10 A7.5 7.5 0 0 0 10 2.5">
+          <animateTransform
+            attributeName="transform"
+            type="rotate"
+            from="0 10 10"
+            to="360 10 10"
+            dur="0.9s"
+            repeatCount="indefinite"
+          />
+        </path>
+      </g>
+    </svg>
+  );
+}
+
 function Placeholder() {
   return (
     <div

frontend/src/components/dashboard/ResearchList.tsx

@@ -70,6 +70,29 @@ export function ResearchList({
     };
   }, [refreshKey, localBump]);
 
+  // Light polling while any topic is actively running so the spinner + status
+  // in the sidebar transition automatically without waiting on a parent bump.
+  // Depending only on the boolean prevents the effect from thrashing every
+  // time the polled response substitutes a fresh array.
+  const anyActive = topics.some(
+    (t) => t.status === "processing" || t.status === "publishing",
+  );
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!anyActive) return;
+    let alive = true;
+    const tick = async () => {
+      try {
+        const rows = await listTopics();
+        if (alive) setTopics(rows);
+      } catch { /* transient — keep the last snapshot */ }
+    };
+    const handle = setInterval(tick, 6000);
+    return () => {
+      alive = false;
+      clearInterval(handle);
+    };
+  }, [anyActive]);
+
   async function doDelete(id: string) {
     if (busyId) return;
     setBusyId(id);
@@ -228,6 +251,9 @@ export function ResearchList({
                       color: "#8a8a92",
                     }}
                   >
+                    {t.status === "processing" || t.status === "publishing" ? (
+                      <MiniSpinner color={dot} />
+                    ) : (
                       <span
                         style={{
                           width: 7,
@@ -236,6 +262,7 @@ export function ResearchList({
                           background: dot,
                         }}
                       />
+                    )}
                     <span style={{ color: dot }}>{t.status}</span>
                     <span style={{ opacity: 0.5 }}>·</span>
                     <span>{t.outcome_kind.replace("_", " ")}</span>
@@ -344,6 +371,26 @@ export function ResearchList({
   );
 }
 
+function MiniSpinner({ color }: { color: string }) {
+  return (
+    <svg width={10} height={10} viewBox="0 0 20 20" aria-hidden>
+      <g fill="none" stroke={color} strokeWidth="2.6" strokeLinecap="round">
+        <circle cx="10" cy="10" r="7.5" opacity="0.22" />
+        <path d="M17.5 10 A7.5 7.5 0 0 0 10 2.5">
+          <animateTransform
+            attributeName="transform"
+            type="rotate"
+            from="0 10 10"
+            to="360 10 10"
+            dur="0.9s"
+            repeatCount="indefinite"
+          />
+        </path>
+      </g>
+    </svg>
+  );
+}
+
 const dangerBtn: React.CSSProperties = {
   padding: "4px 10px",
   borderRadius: 6,

frontend/src/lib/api/research.ts

@@ -54,6 +54,10 @@ export interface TopicDetail {
    *  Present once a run has completed; the canvas renders body_md
    *  in place of description in reviewing/publishing/published. */
   latest_outcome: ResearchOutcome | null;
+  /** queued + running topology_runs bound to this topic. Frontend shows
+   *  a spinner + "Pipeline is running" pill when > 0 and only offers the
+   *  manual "Submit for review" escape hatch when it's 0. */
+  runs_in_flight: number;
 }
 
 export interface PublishApproval {