README.md

@@ -42,7 +42,9 @@ The OWLEN interface features a clean, multi-panel layout with vim-inspired navig
 - **Visual Selection & Clipboard** - Yank/paste text across panels
 - **Flexible Scrolling** - Half-page, full-page, and cursor-based navigation
 - **Model Management** - Interactive model and provider selection (press `m`)
-- **Session Management** - Start new conversations, clear history
+- **Session Persistence** - Save and load conversations to/from disk
+- **AI-Generated Descriptions** - Automatic short summaries for saved sessions
+- **Session Management** - Start new conversations, clear history, browse saved sessions
 - **Thinking Mode Support** - Dedicated panel for extended reasoning content
 - **Bracketed Paste** - Safe paste handling for multi-line content
 
@@ -139,6 +141,15 @@ cargo build --release --bin owlen-code --features code-client
 - `:m` / `:model` - Open model selector
 - `:n` / `:new` - Start new conversation
 - `:h` / `:help` - Show help
+- `:save [name]` / `:w [name]` - Save current conversation
+- `:load` / `:open` - Browse and load saved sessions
+- `:sessions` / `:ls` - List saved sessions
+
+**Session Browser** (accessed via `:load` or `:sessions`):
+- `j` / `k` / `↑` / `↓` - Navigate sessions
+- `Enter` - Load selected session
+- `d` - Delete selected session
+- `Esc` - Close browser
 
 ### Panel Management
 - Three panels: Chat, Thinking, and Input
@@ -164,6 +175,22 @@ base_url = "http://localhost:11434"
 timeout = 300
 ```
 
+### Storage Settings
+
+Sessions are saved to platform-specific directories by default:
+- **Linux**: `~/.local/share/owlen/sessions`
+- **Windows**: `%APPDATA%\owlen\sessions`
+- **macOS**: `~/Library/Application Support/owlen/sessions`
+
+You can customize this in your config:
+
+```toml
+[storage]
+# conversation_dir = "~/custom/path"  # Optional: override default location
+max_saved_sessions = 25
+generate_descriptions = true  # AI-generated summaries for saved sessions
+```
+
 Configuration is automatically saved when you change models or providers.
 
 ## Repository Layout
@@ -226,9 +253,10 @@ cargo fmt
 - [x] Bracketed paste support
 
 ### In Progress
+- [x] Session persistence (save/load conversations)
 - [ ] Theming options and color customization
 - [ ] Enhanced configuration UX (in-app settings)
-- [ ] Chat history management (save/load/export)
+- [ ] Conversation export (Markdown, JSON, plain text)
 
 ### Planned
 - [ ] Code Client Enhancement

crates/owlen-core/Cargo.toml

@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ futures = "0.3.28"
 async-trait = "0.1.73"
 toml = "0.8.0"
 shellexpand = "3.1.0"
+dirs = "5.0"
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 tokio-test = { workspace = true }
+tempfile = { workspace = true }

crates/owlen-core/src/config.rs

@@ -238,18 +238,20 @@ impl Default for UiSettings {
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct StorageSettings {
     #[serde(default = "StorageSettings::default_conversation_dir")]
-    pub conversation_dir: String,
+    pub conversation_dir: Option<String>,
     #[serde(default = "StorageSettings::default_auto_save")]
     pub auto_save_sessions: bool,
     #[serde(default = "StorageSettings::default_max_sessions")]
     pub max_saved_sessions: usize,
     #[serde(default = "StorageSettings::default_session_timeout")]
     pub session_timeout_minutes: u64,
+    #[serde(default = "StorageSettings::default_generate_descriptions")]
+    pub generate_descriptions: bool,
 }
 
 impl StorageSettings {
-    fn default_conversation_dir() -> String {
+    fn default_conversation_dir() -> Option<String> {
-        "~/.local/share/owlen/conversations".to_string()
+        None
     }
 
     fn default_auto_save() -> bool {
@@ -264,19 +266,35 @@ impl StorageSettings {
         120
     }
 
+    fn default_generate_descriptions() -> bool {
+        true
+    }
+
     /// Resolve storage directory path
+    /// Uses platform-specific data directory if not explicitly configured:
+    /// - Linux: ~/.local/share/owlen/sessions
+    /// - Windows: %APPDATA%\owlen\sessions
+    /// - macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/owlen/sessions
     pub fn conversation_path(&self) -> PathBuf {
-        PathBuf::from(shellexpand::tilde(&self.conversation_dir).as_ref())
+        if let Some(ref dir) = self.conversation_dir {
+            PathBuf::from(shellexpand::tilde(dir).as_ref())
+        } else {
+            // Use platform-specific data directory
+            dirs::data_local_dir()
+                .map(|d| d.join("owlen").join("sessions"))
+                .unwrap_or_else(|| PathBuf::from("./owlen_sessions"))
+        }
     }
 }
 
 impl Default for StorageSettings {
     fn default() -> Self {
         Self {
-            conversation_dir: Self::default_conversation_dir(),
+            conversation_dir: None, // Use platform-specific defaults
             auto_save_sessions: Self::default_auto_save(),
             max_saved_sessions: Self::default_max_sessions(),
             session_timeout_minutes: Self::default_session_timeout(),
+            generate_descriptions: Self::default_generate_descriptions(),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -340,3 +358,48 @@ pub fn ensure_ollama_config(config: &mut Config) -> &ProviderConfig {
 pub fn session_timeout(config: &Config) -> Duration {
     Duration::from_secs(config.storage.session_timeout_minutes.max(1) * 60)
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_storage_platform_specific_paths() {
+        let config = Config::default();
+        let path = config.storage.conversation_path();
+
+        // Verify it contains owlen/sessions
+        assert!(path.to_string_lossy().contains("owlen"));
+        assert!(path.to_string_lossy().contains("sessions"));
+
+        // Platform-specific checks
+        #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+        {
+            // Linux should use ~/.local/share/owlen/sessions
+            assert!(path.to_string_lossy().contains(".local/share"));
+        }
+
+        #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
+        {
+            // Windows should use AppData
+            assert!(path.to_string_lossy().contains("AppData"));
+        }
+
+        #[cfg(target_os = "macos")]
+        {
+            // macOS should use ~/Library/Application Support
+            assert!(path.to_string_lossy().contains("Library/Application Support"));
+        }
+
+        println!("Config conversation path: {}", path.display());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_storage_custom_path() {
+        let mut config = Config::default();
+        config.storage.conversation_dir = Some("~/custom/path".to_string());
+
+        let path = config.storage.conversation_path();
+        assert!(path.to_string_lossy().contains("custom/path"));
+    }
+}

crates/owlen-core/src/conversation.rs

@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
+use crate::storage::StorageManager;
 use crate::types::{Conversation, Message};
 use crate::Result;
 use serde_json::{Number, Value};
 use std::collections::{HashMap, VecDeque};
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
@@ -47,8 +49,8 @@ impl ConversationManager {
         &self.active
     }
 
-    /// Mutable access to the active conversation (auto refreshing indexes afterwards)
+    /// Public mutable access to the active conversation
-    fn active_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Conversation {
+    pub fn active_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Conversation {
         &mut self.active
     }
 
@@ -264,6 +266,33 @@ impl ConversationManager {
     fn stream_reset(&mut self) {
         self.streaming.clear();
     }
+
+    /// Save the active conversation to disk
+    pub fn save_active(&self, storage: &StorageManager, name: Option<String>) -> Result<PathBuf> {
+        storage.save_conversation(&self.active, name)
+    }
+
+    /// Save the active conversation to disk with a description
+    pub fn save_active_with_description(
+        &self,
+        storage: &StorageManager,
+        name: Option<String>,
+        description: Option<String>
+    ) -> Result<PathBuf> {
+        storage.save_conversation_with_description(&self.active, name, description)
+    }
+
+    /// Load a conversation from disk and make it active
+    pub fn load_from_disk(&mut self, storage: &StorageManager, path: impl AsRef<Path>) -> Result<()> {
+        let conversation = storage.load_conversation(path)?;
+        self.load(conversation);
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// List all saved sessions
+    pub fn list_saved_sessions(storage: &StorageManager) -> Result<Vec<crate::storage::SessionMeta>> {
+        storage.list_sessions()
+    }
 }
 
 impl StreamingMetadata {

crates/owlen-core/src/lib.rs

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ pub mod model;
 pub mod provider;
 pub mod router;
 pub mod session;
+pub mod storage;
 pub mod types;
 pub mod ui;
 pub mod wrap_cursor;
@@ -54,6 +55,9 @@ pub enum Error {
     #[error("Serialization error: {0}")]
     Serialization(#[from] serde_json::Error),
 
+    #[error("Storage error: {0}")]
+    Storage(String),
+
     #[error("Unknown error: {0}")]
     Unknown(String),
 }

crates/owlen-core/src/provider.rs

@@ -87,9 +87,8 @@ impl ProviderRegistry {
         for provider in self.providers.values() {
             match provider.list_models().await {
                 Ok(mut models) => all_models.append(&mut models),
-                Err(e) => {
+                Err(_) => {
-                    // Log error but continue with other providers
+                    // Continue with other providers
-                    eprintln!("Failed to get models from {}: {}", provider.name(), e);
                 }
             }
         }

crates/owlen-core/src/session.rs

@@ -218,4 +218,88 @@ impl SessionController {
     pub fn clear(&mut self) {
         self.conversation.clear();
     }
+
+    /// Generate a short AI description for the current conversation
+    pub async fn generate_conversation_description(&self) -> Result<String> {
+        let conv = self.conversation.active();
+
+        // If conversation is empty or very short, return a simple description
+        if conv.messages.is_empty() {
+            return Ok("Empty conversation".to_string());
+        }
+
+        if conv.messages.len() == 1 {
+            let first_msg = &conv.messages[0];
+            let preview = first_msg.content.chars().take(50).collect::<String>();
+            return Ok(format!("{}{}", preview, if first_msg.content.len() > 50 { "..." } else { "" }));
+        }
+
+        // Build a summary prompt from the first few and last few messages
+        let mut summary_messages = Vec::new();
+
+        // Add system message to guide the description
+        summary_messages.push(crate::types::Message::system(
+            "Summarize this conversation in 1-2 short sentences (max 100 characters). \
+             Focus on the main topic or question being discussed. Be concise and descriptive.".to_string()
+        ));
+
+        // Include first message
+        if let Some(first) = conv.messages.first() {
+            summary_messages.push(first.clone());
+        }
+
+        // Include a middle message if conversation is long enough
+        if conv.messages.len() > 4 {
+            if let Some(mid) = conv.messages.get(conv.messages.len() / 2) {
+                summary_messages.push(mid.clone());
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Include last message
+        if let Some(last) = conv.messages.last() {
+            if conv.messages.len() > 1 {
+                summary_messages.push(last.clone());
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Create a summarization request
+        let request = crate::types::ChatRequest {
+            model: conv.model.clone(),
+            messages: summary_messages,
+            parameters: crate::types::ChatParameters {
+                temperature: Some(0.3), // Lower temperature for more focused summaries
+                max_tokens: Some(50),   // Keep it short
+                stream: false,
+                extra: std::collections::HashMap::new(),
+            },
+        };
+
+        // Get the summary from the provider
+        match self.provider.chat(request).await {
+            Ok(response) => {
+                let description = response.message.content.trim().to_string();
+
+                // If description is empty, use fallback
+                if description.is_empty() {
+                    let first_msg = &conv.messages[0];
+                    let preview = first_msg.content.chars().take(50).collect::<String>();
+                    return Ok(format!("{}{}", preview, if first_msg.content.len() > 50 { "..." } else { "" }));
+                }
+
+                // Truncate if too long
+                let truncated = if description.len() > 100 {
+                    format!("{}...", description.chars().take(97).collect::<String>())
+                } else {
+                    description
+                };
+                Ok(truncated)
+            }
+            Err(_e) => {
+                // Fallback to simple description if AI generation fails
+                let first_msg = &conv.messages[0];
+                let preview = first_msg.content.chars().take(50).collect::<String>();
+                Ok(format!("{}{}", preview, if first_msg.content.len() > 50 { "..." } else { "" }))
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }

crates/owlen-core/src/storage.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,308 @@
+//! Session persistence and storage management
+
+use crate::types::Conversation;
+use crate::{Error, Result};
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+use std::fs;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+use std::time::SystemTime;
+
+/// Metadata about a saved session
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct SessionMeta {
+    /// Session file path
+    pub path: PathBuf,
+    /// Conversation ID
+    pub id: uuid::Uuid,
+    /// Optional session name
+    pub name: Option<String>,
+    /// Optional AI-generated description
+    pub description: Option<String>,
+    /// Number of messages in the conversation
+    pub message_count: usize,
+    /// Model used
+    pub model: String,
+    /// When the session was created
+    pub created_at: SystemTime,
+    /// When the session was last updated
+    pub updated_at: SystemTime,
+}
+
+/// Storage manager for persisting conversations
+pub struct StorageManager {
+    sessions_dir: PathBuf,
+}
+
+impl StorageManager {
+    /// Create a new storage manager with the default sessions directory
+    pub fn new() -> Result<Self> {
+        let sessions_dir = Self::default_sessions_dir()?;
+        Self::with_directory(sessions_dir)
+    }
+
+    /// Create a storage manager with a custom sessions directory
+    pub fn with_directory(sessions_dir: PathBuf) -> Result<Self> {
+        // Ensure the directory exists
+        if !sessions_dir.exists() {
+            fs::create_dir_all(&sessions_dir).map_err(|e| {
+                Error::Storage(format!(
+                    "Failed to create sessions directory: {}",
+                    e
+                ))
+            })?;
+        }
+
+        Ok(Self { sessions_dir })
+    }
+
+    /// Get the default sessions directory
+    /// - Linux: ~/.local/share/owlen/sessions
+    /// - Windows: %APPDATA%\owlen\sessions
+    /// - macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/owlen/sessions
+    pub fn default_sessions_dir() -> Result<PathBuf> {
+        let data_dir = dirs::data_local_dir()
+            .ok_or_else(|| Error::Storage("Could not determine data directory".to_string()))?;
+        Ok(data_dir.join("owlen").join("sessions"))
+    }
+
+    /// Save a conversation to disk
+    pub fn save_conversation(&self, conversation: &Conversation, name: Option<String>) -> Result<PathBuf> {
+        self.save_conversation_with_description(conversation, name, None)
+    }
+
+    /// Save a conversation to disk with an optional description
+    pub fn save_conversation_with_description(
+        &self,
+        conversation: &Conversation,
+        name: Option<String>,
+        description: Option<String>
+    ) -> Result<PathBuf> {
+        let filename = if let Some(ref session_name) = name {
+            // Use provided name, sanitized
+            let sanitized = sanitize_filename(session_name);
+            format!("{}_{}.json", conversation.id, sanitized)
+        } else {
+            // Use conversation ID and timestamp
+            let timestamp = SystemTime::now()
+                .duration_since(SystemTime::UNIX_EPOCH)
+                .unwrap_or_default()
+                .as_secs();
+            format!("{}_{}.json", conversation.id, timestamp)
+        };
+
+        let path = self.sessions_dir.join(filename);
+
+        // Create a saveable version with the name and description
+        let mut save_conv = conversation.clone();
+        if name.is_some() {
+            save_conv.name = name;
+        }
+        if description.is_some() {
+            save_conv.description = description;
+        }
+
+        let json = serde_json::to_string_pretty(&save_conv).map_err(|e| {
+            Error::Storage(format!("Failed to serialize conversation: {}", e))
+        })?;
+
+        fs::write(&path, json).map_err(|e| {
+            Error::Storage(format!("Failed to write session file: {}", e))
+        })?;
+
+        Ok(path)
+    }
+
+    /// Load a conversation from disk
+    pub fn load_conversation(&self, path: impl AsRef<Path>) -> Result<Conversation> {
+        let content = fs::read_to_string(path.as_ref()).map_err(|e| {
+            Error::Storage(format!("Failed to read session file: {}", e))
+        })?;
+
+        let conversation: Conversation = serde_json::from_str(&content).map_err(|e| {
+            Error::Storage(format!("Failed to parse session file: {}", e))
+        })?;
+
+        Ok(conversation)
+    }
+
+    /// List all saved sessions with metadata
+    pub fn list_sessions(&self) -> Result<Vec<SessionMeta>> {
+        let mut sessions = Vec::new();
+
+        let entries = fs::read_dir(&self.sessions_dir).map_err(|e| {
+            Error::Storage(format!("Failed to read sessions directory: {}", e))
+        })?;
+
+        for entry in entries {
+            let entry = entry.map_err(|e| {
+                Error::Storage(format!("Failed to read directory entry: {}", e))
+            })?;
+
+            let path = entry.path();
+            if path.extension().and_then(|s| s.to_str()) != Some("json") {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            // Try to load the conversation to extract metadata
+            match self.load_conversation(&path) {
+                Ok(conv) => {
+                    sessions.push(SessionMeta {
+                        path: path.clone(),
+                        id: conv.id,
+                        name: conv.name.clone(),
+                        description: conv.description.clone(),
+                        message_count: conv.messages.len(),
+                        model: conv.model.clone(),
+                        created_at: conv.created_at,
+                        updated_at: conv.updated_at,
+                    });
+                }
+                Err(_) => {
+                    // Skip files that can't be parsed
+                    continue;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Sort by updated_at, most recent first
+        sessions.sort_by(|a, b| b.updated_at.cmp(&a.updated_at));
+
+        Ok(sessions)
+    }
+
+    /// Delete a saved session
+    pub fn delete_session(&self, path: impl AsRef<Path>) -> Result<()> {
+        fs::remove_file(path.as_ref()).map_err(|e| {
+            Error::Storage(format!("Failed to delete session file: {}", e))
+        })
+    }
+
+    /// Get the sessions directory path
+    pub fn sessions_dir(&self) -> &Path {
+        &self.sessions_dir
+    }
+}
+
+impl Default for StorageManager {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self::new().expect("Failed to create default storage manager")
+    }
+}
+
+/// Sanitize a filename by removing invalid characters
+fn sanitize_filename(name: &str) -> String {
+    name.chars()
+        .map(|c| {
+            if c.is_alphanumeric() || c == '_' || c == '-' {
+                c
+            } else if c.is_whitespace() {
+                '_'
+            } else {
+                '-'
+            }
+        })
+        .collect::<String>()
+        .chars()
+        .take(50) // Limit length
+        .collect()
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::types::Message;
+    use tempfile::TempDir;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_platform_specific_default_path() {
+        let path = StorageManager::default_sessions_dir().unwrap();
+
+        // Verify it contains owlen/sessions
+        assert!(path.to_string_lossy().contains("owlen"));
+        assert!(path.to_string_lossy().contains("sessions"));
+
+        // Platform-specific checks
+        #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+        {
+            // Linux should use ~/.local/share/owlen/sessions
+            assert!(path.to_string_lossy().contains(".local/share"));
+        }
+
+        #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
+        {
+            // Windows should use AppData
+            assert!(path.to_string_lossy().contains("AppData"));
+        }
+
+        #[cfg(target_os = "macos")]
+        {
+            // macOS should use ~/Library/Application Support
+            assert!(path.to_string_lossy().contains("Library/Application Support"));
+        }
+
+        println!("Default sessions directory: {}", path.display());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_sanitize_filename() {
+        assert_eq!(sanitize_filename("Hello World"), "Hello_World");
+        assert_eq!(sanitize_filename("test/path\\file"), "test-path-file");
+        assert_eq!(sanitize_filename("file:name?"), "file-name-");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_save_and_load_conversation() {
+        let temp_dir = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+        let storage = StorageManager::with_directory(temp_dir.path().to_path_buf()).unwrap();
+
+        let mut conv = Conversation::new("test-model".to_string());
+        conv.messages.push(Message::user("Hello".to_string()));
+        conv.messages.push(Message::assistant("Hi there!".to_string()));
+
+        // Save conversation
+        let path = storage.save_conversation(&conv, Some("test_session".to_string())).unwrap();
+        assert!(path.exists());
+
+        // Load conversation
+        let loaded = storage.load_conversation(&path).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(loaded.id, conv.id);
+        assert_eq!(loaded.model, conv.model);
+        assert_eq!(loaded.messages.len(), 2);
+        assert_eq!(loaded.name, Some("test_session".to_string()));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_list_sessions() {
+        let temp_dir = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+        let storage = StorageManager::with_directory(temp_dir.path().to_path_buf()).unwrap();
+
+        // Create multiple sessions
+        for i in 0..3 {
+            let mut conv = Conversation::new("test-model".to_string());
+            conv.messages.push(Message::user(format!("Message {}", i)));
+            storage.save_conversation(&conv, Some(format!("session_{}", i))).unwrap();
+        }
+
+        // List sessions
+        let sessions = storage.list_sessions().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(sessions.len(), 3);
+
+        // Check that sessions are sorted by updated_at (most recent first)
+        for i in 0..sessions.len() - 1 {
+            assert!(sessions[i].updated_at >= sessions[i + 1].updated_at);
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_delete_session() {
+        let temp_dir = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+        let storage = StorageManager::with_directory(temp_dir.path().to_path_buf()).unwrap();
+
+        let conv = Conversation::new("test-model".to_string());
+        let path = storage.save_conversation(&conv, None).unwrap();
+        assert!(path.exists());
+
+        storage.delete_session(&path).unwrap();
+        assert!(!path.exists());
+    }
+}

crates/owlen-core/src/types.rs

@@ -50,6 +50,9 @@ pub struct Conversation {
     pub id: Uuid,
     /// Optional name/title for the conversation
     pub name: Option<String>,
+    /// Optional AI-generated description of the conversation
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub description: Option<String>,
     /// Messages in chronological order
     pub messages: Vec<Message>,
     /// Model used for this conversation
@@ -167,6 +170,7 @@ impl Conversation {
         Self {
             id: Uuid::new_v4(),
             name: None,
+            description: None,
             messages: Vec::new(),
             model,
             created_at: now,

crates/owlen-core/src/ui.rs

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ pub enum InputMode {
     Help,
     Visual,
     Command,
+    SessionBrowser,
 }
 
 impl fmt::Display for InputMode {
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ impl fmt::Display for InputMode {
             InputMode::Help => "Help",
             InputMode::Visual => "Visual",
             InputMode::Command => "Command",
+            InputMode::SessionBrowser => "Sessions",
         };
         f.write_str(label)
     }

crates/owlen-tui/src/chat_app.rs

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 use anyhow::Result;
 use owlen_core::{
     session::{SessionController, SessionOutcome},
+    storage::{SessionMeta, StorageManager},
     types::{ChatParameters, ChatResponse, Conversation, ModelInfo, Role},
     ui::{AppState, AutoScroll, FocusedPanel, InputMode},
 };
@@ -55,6 +56,10 @@ pub struct ChatApp {
     focused_panel: FocusedPanel,        // Currently focused panel for scrolling
     chat_cursor: (usize, usize),        // Cursor position in Chat panel (row, col)
     thinking_cursor: (usize, usize),    // Cursor position in Thinking panel (row, col)
+    storage: StorageManager,            // Storage manager for session persistence
+    saved_sessions: Vec<SessionMeta>,   // Cached list of saved sessions
+    selected_session_index: usize,      // Index of selected session in browser
+    save_name_buffer: String,           // Buffer for entering save name
 }
 
 impl ChatApp {
@@ -63,6 +68,12 @@ impl ChatApp {
         let mut textarea = TextArea::default();
         configure_textarea_defaults(&mut textarea);
 
+        let storage = StorageManager::new().unwrap_or_else(|e| {
+            eprintln!("Warning: Failed to initialize storage: {}", e);
+            StorageManager::with_directory(std::path::PathBuf::from("/tmp/owlen_sessions"))
+                .expect("Failed to create fallback storage")
+        });
+
         let app = Self {
             controller,
             mode: InputMode::Normal,
@@ -93,6 +104,10 @@ impl ChatApp {
             focused_panel: FocusedPanel::Input,
             chat_cursor: (0, 0),
             thinking_cursor: (0, 0),
+            storage,
+            saved_sessions: Vec::new(),
+            selected_session_index: 0,
+            save_name_buffer: String::new(),
         };
 
         (app, session_rx)
@@ -209,6 +224,14 @@ impl ChatApp {
         self.thinking_cursor
     }
 
+    pub fn saved_sessions(&self) -> &[SessionMeta] {
+        &self.saved_sessions
+    }
+
+    pub fn selected_session_index(&self) -> usize {
+        self.selected_session_index
+    }
+
     pub fn cycle_focus_forward(&mut self) {
         self.focused_panel = match self.focused_panel {
             FocusedPanel::Chat => {
@@ -976,7 +999,11 @@ impl ChatApp {
                     (KeyCode::Enter, _) => {
                         // Execute command
                         let cmd = self.command_buffer.trim();
-                        match cmd {
+                        let parts: Vec<&str> = cmd.split_whitespace().collect();
+                        let command = parts.first().copied().unwrap_or("");
+                        let args = &parts[1..];
+
+                        match command {
                             "q" | "quit" => {
                                 return Ok(AppState::Quit);
                             }
@@ -984,9 +1011,65 @@ impl ChatApp {
                                 self.controller.clear();
                                 self.status = "Conversation cleared".to_string();
                             }
-                            "w" | "write" => {
+                            "w" | "write" | "save" => {
-                                // Could implement saving conversation here
+                                // Save current conversation with AI-generated description
-                                self.status = "Conversation saved".to_string();
+                                let name = if !args.is_empty() {
+                                    Some(args.join(" "))
+                                } else {
+                                    None
+                                };
+
+                                // Generate description if enabled in config
+                                let description = if self.controller.config().storage.generate_descriptions {
+                                    self.status = "Generating description...".to_string();
+                                    match self.controller.generate_conversation_description().await {
+                                        Ok(desc) => Some(desc),
+                                        Err(_) => None,
+                                    }
+                                } else {
+                                    None
+                                };
+
+                                // Save the conversation with description
+                                match self.controller.conversation_mut().save_active_with_description(&self.storage, name.clone(), description) {
+                                    Ok(path) => {
+                                        self.status = format!("Session saved: {}", path.display());
+                                        self.error = None;
+                                    }
+                                    Err(e) => {
+                                        self.error = Some(format!("Failed to save session: {}", e));
+                                    }
+                                }
+                            }
+                            "load" | "open" => {
+                                // Load saved sessions and enter browser mode
+                                match self.storage.list_sessions() {
+                                    Ok(sessions) => {
+                                        self.saved_sessions = sessions;
+                                        self.selected_session_index = 0;
+                                        self.mode = InputMode::SessionBrowser;
+                                        self.command_buffer.clear();
+                                        return Ok(AppState::Running);
+                                    }
+                                    Err(e) => {
+                                        self.error = Some(format!("Failed to list sessions: {}", e));
+                                    }
+                                }
+                            }
+                            "sessions" | "ls" => {
+                                // List saved sessions
+                                match self.storage.list_sessions() {
+                                    Ok(sessions) => {
+                                        self.saved_sessions = sessions;
+                                        self.selected_session_index = 0;
+                                        self.mode = InputMode::SessionBrowser;
+                                        self.command_buffer.clear();
+                                        return Ok(AppState::Running);
+                                    }
+                                    Err(e) => {
+                                        self.error = Some(format!("Failed to list sessions: {}", e));
+                                    }
+                                }
                             }
                             "h" | "help" => {
                                 self.mode = InputMode::Help;
@@ -1097,6 +1180,56 @@ impl ChatApp {
                     }
                     _ => {}
                 },
+                InputMode::SessionBrowser => match key.code {
+                    KeyCode::Esc => {
+                        self.mode = InputMode::Normal;
+                    }
+                    KeyCode::Enter => {
+                        // Load selected session
+                        if let Some(session) = self.saved_sessions.get(self.selected_session_index) {
+                            match self.controller.conversation_mut().load_from_disk(&self.storage, &session.path) {
+                                Ok(_) => {
+                                    self.status = format!("Loaded session: {}", session.name.as_deref().unwrap_or("Unnamed"));
+                                    self.error = None;
+                                    // Update thinking panel
+                                    self.update_thinking_from_last_message();
+                                }
+                                Err(e) => {
+                                    self.error = Some(format!("Failed to load session: {}", e));
+                                }
+                            }
+                        }
+                        self.mode = InputMode::Normal;
+                    }
+                    KeyCode::Up | KeyCode::Char('k') => {
+                        if self.selected_session_index > 0 {
+                            self.selected_session_index -= 1;
+                        }
+                    }
+                    KeyCode::Down | KeyCode::Char('j') => {
+                        if self.selected_session_index + 1 < self.saved_sessions.len() {
+                            self.selected_session_index += 1;
+                        }
+                    }
+                    KeyCode::Char('d') => {
+                        // Delete selected session
+                        if let Some(session) = self.saved_sessions.get(self.selected_session_index) {
+                            match self.storage.delete_session(&session.path) {
+                                Ok(_) => {
+                                    self.saved_sessions.remove(self.selected_session_index);
+                                    if self.selected_session_index >= self.saved_sessions.len() && !self.saved_sessions.is_empty() {
+                                        self.selected_session_index = self.saved_sessions.len() - 1;
+                                    }
+                                    self.status = "Session deleted".to_string();
+                                }
+                                Err(e) => {
+                                    self.error = Some(format!("Failed to delete session: {}", e));
+                                }
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                    _ => {}
+                },
             },
             _ => {}
         }
@@ -1342,7 +1475,7 @@ impl ChatApp {
                 stream,
             }) => {
                 // Step 3: Model loaded, now generating response
-                self.status = "Generating response...".to_string();
+                self.status = format!("Model loaded. Generating response... (streaming)");
 
                 self.spawn_stream(response_id, stream);
                 match self.controller.mark_stream_placeholder(response_id, "▌") {

crates/owlen-tui/src/ui.rs

@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ pub fn render_chat(frame: &mut Frame<'_>, app: &mut ChatApp) {
         InputMode::ProviderSelection => render_provider_selector(frame, app),
         InputMode::ModelSelection => render_model_selector(frame, app),
         InputMode::Help => render_help(frame),
+        InputMode::SessionBrowser => render_session_browser(frame, app),
         _ => {}
     }
 }
@@ -943,14 +944,13 @@ fn render_status(frame: &mut Frame<'_>, area: Rect, app: &ChatApp) {
         InputMode::Help => (" HELP", Color::LightMagenta),
         InputMode::Visual => (" VISUAL", Color::Magenta),
         InputMode::Command => (" COMMAND", Color::Yellow),
+        InputMode::SessionBrowser => (" SESSIONS", Color::Yellow),
     };
 
-    let status_message = if app.streaming_count() > 0 {
+    let status_message = if let Some(error) = app.error_message() {
-        format!("Streaming... ({})", app.streaming_count())
-    } else if let Some(error) = app.error_message() {
         format!("Error: {}", error)
     } else {
-        "Ready".to_string()
+        app.status_message().to_string()
     };
 
     let help_text = "i:Input :m:Model :n:New :c:Clear :h:Help q:Quit";
@@ -1145,11 +1145,13 @@ fn render_help(frame: &mut Frame<'_>) {
         Line::from("  v / Esc     → exit visual mode"),
         Line::from(""),
         Line::from("COMMANDS (press : then type):"),
-        Line::from("  :h, :help   → show this help"),
+        Line::from("  :h, :help          → show this help"),
-        Line::from("  :m, :model  → select model"),
+        Line::from("  :m, :model         → select model"),
-        Line::from("  :n, :new    → start new conversation"),
+        Line::from("  :n, :new           → start new conversation"),
-        Line::from("  :c, :clear  → clear current conversation"),
+        Line::from("  :c, :clear         → clear current conversation"),
-        Line::from("  :q, :quit   → quit application"),
+        Line::from("  :save [name]       → save current session"),
+        Line::from("  :load, :sessions   → browse/load saved sessions"),
+        Line::from("  :q, :quit          → quit application"),
         Line::from(""),
         Line::from("QUICK KEYS:"),
         Line::from("  q           → quit (from normal mode)"),
@@ -1173,6 +1175,140 @@ fn render_help(frame: &mut Frame<'_>) {
     frame.render_widget(paragraph, area);
 }
 
+fn render_session_browser(frame: &mut Frame<'_>, app: &ChatApp) {
+    let area = centered_rect(70, 70, frame.area());
+    frame.render_widget(Clear, area);
+
+    let sessions = app.saved_sessions();
+
+    if sessions.is_empty() {
+        let text = vec![
+            Line::from(""),
+            Line::from("No saved sessions found."),
+            Line::from(""),
+            Line::from("Save your current session with :save [name]"),
+            Line::from(""),
+            Line::from("Press Esc to close."),
+        ];
+
+        let paragraph = Paragraph::new(text)
+            .block(
+                Block::default()
+                    .title(Span::styled(
+                        " Saved Sessions ",
+                        Style::default().fg(Color::Yellow).add_modifier(Modifier::BOLD),
+                    ))
+                    .borders(Borders::ALL)
+                    .border_style(Style::default().fg(Color::Yellow)),
+            )
+            .alignment(Alignment::Center);
+
+        frame.render_widget(paragraph, area);
+        return;
+    }
+
+    let items: Vec<ListItem> = sessions
+        .iter()
+        .enumerate()
+        .map(|(idx, session)| {
+            let name = session
+                .name
+                .as_deref()
+                .unwrap_or("Unnamed session");
+
+            let created = session.created_at
+                .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
+                .unwrap_or_default()
+                .as_secs();
+            let now = std::time::SystemTime::now()
+                .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
+                .unwrap_or_default()
+                .as_secs();
+            let age_hours = (now - created) / 3600;
+            let age_str = if age_hours < 1 {
+                "< 1h ago".to_string()
+            } else if age_hours < 24 {
+                format!("{}h ago", age_hours)
+            } else {
+                format!("{}d ago", age_hours / 24)
+            };
+
+            let info = format!(
+                "{} messages · {} · {}",
+                session.message_count,
+                session.model,
+                age_str
+            );
+
+            let is_selected = idx == app.selected_session_index();
+            let style = if is_selected {
+                Style::default()
+                    .fg(Color::Black)
+                    .bg(Color::Yellow)
+                    .add_modifier(Modifier::BOLD)
+            } else {
+                Style::default().fg(Color::White)
+            };
+
+            let info_style = if is_selected {
+                Style::default().fg(Color::Black).bg(Color::Yellow)
+            } else {
+                Style::default().fg(Color::Gray)
+            };
+
+            let desc_style = if is_selected {
+                Style::default().fg(Color::Black).bg(Color::Yellow).add_modifier(Modifier::ITALIC)
+            } else {
+                Style::default().fg(Color::DarkGray).add_modifier(Modifier::ITALIC)
+            };
+
+            let mut lines = vec![
+                Line::from(Span::styled(name, style)),
+            ];
+
+            // Add description if available and not empty
+            if let Some(description) = &session.description {
+                if !description.is_empty() {
+                    lines.push(Line::from(Span::styled(format!("  \"{}\"", description), desc_style)));
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Add metadata line
+            lines.push(Line::from(Span::styled(format!("  {}", info), info_style)));
+
+            ListItem::new(lines)
+        })
+        .collect();
+
+    let list = List::new(items).block(
+        Block::default()
+            .title(Span::styled(
+                format!(" Saved Sessions ({}) ", sessions.len()),
+                Style::default().fg(Color::Yellow).add_modifier(Modifier::BOLD),
+            ))
+            .borders(Borders::ALL)
+            .border_style(Style::default().fg(Color::Yellow)),
+    );
+
+    let footer = Paragraph::new(vec![
+        Line::from(""),
+        Line::from("↑/↓ or j/k: Navigate · Enter: Load · d: Delete · Esc: Cancel"),
+    ])
+    .alignment(Alignment::Center)
+    .style(Style::default().fg(Color::Gray));
+
+    let layout = Layout::default()
+        .direction(Direction::Vertical)
+        .constraints([
+            Constraint::Min(5),
+            Constraint::Length(3),
+        ])
+        .split(area);
+
+    frame.render_widget(list, layout[0]);
+    frame.render_widget(footer, layout[1]);
+}
+
 fn centered_rect(percent_x: u16, percent_y: u16, area: Rect) -> Rect {
     let vertical = Layout::default()
         .direction(Direction::Vertical)