diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/src/turn.rs b/hive-ag3nt/src/turn.rs
index eed75b8e..78d6a329 100644
--- a/hive-ag3nt/src/turn.rs
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/src/turn.rs
@@ -346,6 +346,9 @@ pub async fn drive_turn(
         bus.emit(LiveEvent::Note {
             text: "operator: /compact — running at turn end".into(),
         });
+        // Reflect `Compacting` in the UI like the idle path (`run_pending_compact`)
+        // does; the serve loop resets to `Idle` once this turn returns.
+        bus.set_state(crate::events::TurnState::Compacting);
         let _ = session.compact(&config, &sink).await;
         return Ok(true);
     }