diff --git a/app/routes/ai.tsx b/app/routes/ai.tsx
index 95b4b2d..46fa3f6 100644
--- a/app/routes/ai.tsx
+++ b/app/routes/ai.tsx
@@ -571,14 +571,19 @@ function ChatSurface({
                 pendingConfirm: !!pendingConfirm,
                 confirmBusy,
               })
-              if (activity === "idle") return null
+              const isIdle = activity === "idle"
               return (
-                <div className="self-start">
+                <div
+                  className={`self-start transition-opacity duration-300 ${
+                    isIdle ? "opacity-50" : "opacity-100"
+                  }`}
+                >
                   <AgentAvatar
                     name={activeAgent?.name ?? "Atlas"}
                     activity={activity}
                     initials={activeAgent ? agentInitials(activeAgent.name) : "AT"}
-                    showLabel
+                    size={isIdle ? "sm" : "md"}
+                    showLabel={!isIdle}
                   />
                 </div>
               )