diff --git a/packages/cli/src/commands/run.ts b/packages/cli/src/commands/run.ts
index e427b03..26d38f7 100755
--- a/packages/cli/src/commands/run.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/commands/run.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /**
- * RunCommand - Run the AirCoding project (spawns TUI)
+ * RunCommand - Start a session (spawns TUI)
  * DD §17. Routes side effects through RuntimeApp.
  *
  * @module packages/cli/src/commands/run
@@ -11,11 +11,28 @@ import { TuiApp } from '@aircoding/tui'
 
 export async function runCommand(project_path?: string): Promise<void> {
   const config = loadConfig(project_path)
-  console.log(`Starting AirCoding for ${config.project_root || process.cwd()}`)
+  const project_root = config.project_root || process.cwd()
+  console.log(`Starting AirCoding for ${project_root}`)
 
   const runtime = await createRuntime(config)
   await runtime.start()
 
+  // Push initial projection snapshot so TUI shows the session
+  runtime.projection_client.receive_snapshot({
+    session_id: 'current',
+    project_id: '',
+    status: 'running',
+    title: project_root.split('/').pop() || 'AirCoding',
+    tasks: [],
+    agents: [],
+    tool_runs: [],
+    command_runs: [],
+    artifacts: [],
+    permission_prompts: [],
+    blockers: [],
+    updated_at: new Date().toISOString()
+  })
+
   // Wire TUI to runtime's ProjectionClient (B15 fix)
   const tui = new TuiApp({ client: runtime.projection_client })
   await tui.start()
@@ -27,4 +44,8 @@ export async function runCommand(project_path?: string): Promise<void> {
     await runtime.shutdown()
     process.exit(0)
   })
-}
+
+  // Keep process alive for TUI interaction
+  console.log(`\nSession active. Press 'q' to quit, 'h' for help.`)
+  await new Promise(() => {}) // Wait forever until SIGINT
+}
\ No newline at end of file